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