Moslem scholar turns his notes into humorous poems
In a gathering in Jakarta last month, a man mesmerized an audience of 1,000 people with his bitter and humorous poems about social issues.
The audience, who called themselves "lovers of democracy" was listening to Mustofa Bisri, who come from Rembang. The Jakarta Post talked to Bisri, a respected kyai-cum-poet in his home in the coastal town of Central Java recently.
Question: When did you start writing poems?
Answer: Just like anybody else, I wrote poems when I was a teenager. At that time, I wrote romantic poems. Actually I never deliberately wrote any poem. I like writing notes. I write what I feel, experience, and think. But my friends, some poets, think that they are good poems. So they invite me to read my poems in public, and support in publishing them.
Q: And now you become a poet yourself?
A: Whatever people say. I have befriended some kyai (Moslem scholar), they say I am a kyai too. I befriend poets, and they say I am a poet. I don't mind.
Q: Is there any purpose in writing poems? Or, is it just a hobby for you?
A: I don't have any purpose or ambition when I write my notes. But it certainly does me good. For instance, when I get mad with my wife, I do not confront her. I write down my anger, calling her names. I keep my notes not to be read by her, of course. After some time, I feel fine. Then, perhaps, we can talk in a calm manner.
Q: Some critics say that your poems are impressive but actually lack originality.
A: I agree. Of course I can't be original. I write about the basic needs in life; human rights, justice, violation of the law etc, that people have been writing since the beginning of civilization.
Q: Do you expect that poems will purify the world?
A: No. The most a poem can do is just like a friend tapping your shoulder, to warn you softly. The rest is up to you.
Q: But Robert Browning said that politics pollutes the world and poems clean it up...
A: I disagree. Let me quote a saying from the Koran. A poet is someone who is popular. They tend to talk too much, and can not do anything about what they speak of. Only poets who believe in God will be blessed. It means that being a poet is very risky and close to hell and it's devils. You've got to be extra careful, you've got big responsibilities. And I believe there is a good politics which can purify the world.
Q: How would you explain that?
A: Because the Prophet Mohammad showed us. He was the example of good politics. Good politics can be carried out. He didn't only talk about democracy, he achieved it. When his wife, an old woman, and a poor citizen protested about him, he listened to them, and took their opinions into consideration. Good politics are not impossible.
Q: If so, good politics may not presently exist,judging from the spate of riots lately?
A: Actually, there is an ulcer with many eyes, as I have commented about our society. Having ulcer with many eyes, you have to be careful, because a small touch with a soft cloth could cause a terrible pain. In that case, we have to operate, to take out all the eyes. Our government has busied itself seeking the cause of pain from outside, not by taking out the eyes of the ulcer.
Q: What are the ulcer's eyes, in your opinion?
A: The gap between the rich and the poor, which is continually widening, injustice, and violation of the law. Our people are the most obedient people in the world. They accept whatever conditions they are pushed into. They are willing to live in poverty. They have only one need: to be left alone and not to be bothered. We all know what the government and the haves do to them.
One of Bisri's poems called "What are you like or what do you want me to do" published in OHOI reflected his stance on this issue:
Kau ini bagaimana?
Kau suruh aku menggarap sawah
Sawahku kau tanami rumah-rumah
Kau bilang aku harus punya rumah
Aku punya rumah kau meratakannya dengan tanah
(What are you really at?
You asked me to work on my paddy field
But you grow houses on them
You said that I have to own a home
I own one and you demolish it)
Q: So, the people are victims of a corrupt government ...
A: We can't blame anybody. If we want to blame somebody, blame ourselves. The existence of corrupt leaders and government is because of our own sins. Do you know what's the biggest sin? That is, to let our leaders be near hell, to do sinful things. It means, we do not love them. We do not care. That is a sin.
Q: What do you expect from the people?
A: Speak up. Criticize. Show that you care about this government.
Q: Nobody dares to do that. If some one does, he would be stopped. Doing the right thing could prove to be wrong.
A: Yes, but you must remember our mothers. Mothers never stop criticizing us, every day, every time. They never get tired. The basic fact is that mothers do it out of love. They want their children to be good people. We could imitate them.
Q: Perhaps it is a matter of how we do it...
A: Neither the approach or the method is so important. As long as both sides, those who criticize and those being criticized, have good will, there will be a solution. If you don't have good will, no matter how good the approach is, it could be wrong.
Q: What do you think about our coming election?
A: I am optimistic.
Q: On what?
A: I am optimistic that there won't be any change. I am also optimistic that Soeharto will become president again.
Q: Are you also optimistic about the impact of the television campaign after the government bans street rallies?
A: It's a joke. We know who has the money, and who owns and controls television stations.
Q: What is your opinion about our political leaders?
A: I think Golkar would have a clean sweep if only it gets rid of some figures who invite a backlash.
Q: What about them?
A: In general, I see that there is a weird tendency in the attitude of our leaders. Take, for example, a Central Javanese authority who is excessive with his "yellowization", (coloring public facilities with yellow, the party color of Golkar). Ismail Hasan (PPP), belittles his own party by opposing some NU leaders. If he's smart, he should realize that NU contributes a great deal to the PPP. He should have been closer to NU leaders. And Soerjadi, everybody knows that he jeopardized his own party. My conclusion is that these three leaders are actually promoting Golput (those who refuse to vote in election).
By the way, don't stay too long in Central Java. Everything permanent here will be painted yellow. I am afraid they will paint you yellow as well.
Q: A kyai is an opinion leader. There are now many new kyai, especially in big cities. Now, many people including celebrities who have no strong religious roots are preaching to others. Is there a renewed interest in religion?
A: I admit that the spirit of religion is growing and increasing. But I am worried, there is no real understanding of the religion they are learning. I just wish that all those new and young kyai will continue to learn. Because if they don't, the extremes will become more extremes, and the cosmetics will still be cosmetics.
Q: We heard that now you are often asked to read poems before your religious audiences...
A: Yes. Especially if the audience are young people. They always ask me to read one or two of my poems before I commence the reading of the Koran. The problem is that I don't memorize my poems. I can't recite them. But since I have to now I can recite some short poems of mine. Like a one sentence poem I have "Negeriku telah menguning" (My country has turned yellowish). That's all. They love it.
Q: Some of your poems feel like real portrayal of Indonesian life. Have any of your poems been banned
A: Yes, sometimes. Not me, but the poems have been. Recently, a local community was forbidden to read one of my poems in a poetry reading competition. It is Sajak Dor Dor Hure Dua (a cynical poem about Pancasila). It's a pity. There is no freedom in this country. This is an independent country we live in. There should be more freedom. (Sirikit Syah)