In remembrance of Subagio
On July 18, 1995, my father, Subagio Sastrowardoyo, died. Many knew him as one of Indonesia's prominent writers. I knew him as a dear father, a wonderful friend.
In recent days many have paid tribute to him, both in the television and print media, including your newspaper. Please allow me to pay tribute to him through the following poem I've penned. I hope it will be accepted as an outpouring of a daughter's heart over her father's passing.
He is silent
The words have ceased
Beneath the shroud
His body lays still
The loving arms
which once comforted me
decays
He is no longer there
It is but a shell
He is gone
No longer
can he exchange words with me
nor play with my children
Yet there is no despair
He is free
The ravaged body no longer holds him
the burden of mind released
He lives
Preserved in my memory
of times that once was
for time continuing
SARASWATI SATROWARDOYO
Jakarta