Peace be with us
1997
A year to remember for its assault of terrible happenings
Forest fires which blinded our view of the trees
The cry of a little girl whose innocence was bargained for Rp
2 million
Babies, their existence denied and their right to live
extinguished by those who claim they know what is best
Tears of grief from families who lost their loved ones in a
plane crash
Hunger and pain stinging Irian Jaya
The rupiah plummeting in value
Our hearts scream with fear and fury
We try to find something, someone responsible for all the
black scars
We ask who has painted the sky with dark holes instead of
bright stars
And each of us has different answers
1998
It is not far away
There are many colors to choose from
both dark and bright
to paint next year's sky
What would we like to write in the 1998 diary?
Love? War? Peace? Famine? Smoke from burning forests?
Here's hoping 1997 ends with smiles and peace
Let the New Year start with goodwill from each of us
-- By Permata Hamid