Romantic love is in the air at literary reading
By Sirikit Syah
JAKARTA (JP): The topic of love, in all its variations and subtleties, is a certain draw to bring in the public.
About 50 people gathered last weekend at Cemara 6, a gallery cafe in Central Jakarta, to listen to Rusdi Rahingrat read his short stories and Sitok Srengene recite his poems on the subject.
Rusdi opened the event with Pisah Ranjang (Separate Beds), which had previously been printed in Jawa Pos daily and was included in his short story anthology Para Pembohong (Liars).
The story tells of a poet who is repeatedly rejected by his businesswoman wife. "You smell like copper," the wife scolds him. She agrees to sleep naked to allow her husband to observe her body and derive inspiration for his writing. "But, don't touch me," she warns him. "My sleep will be disturbed and I won't be able to work properly tomorrow."
This description of "failed" love, or more accurately failed marriage, could be construed as part of a real social phenomenon. Rusdi, a member of creative group Gorong-gorong Budaya based in Depok, tapped into the essence of the relationship and presented it beautifully.
Rusdi is a veteran of a motley list of professions. He has been a fireworks seller, factory worker and street musician. He was also a member of Bengkel Teater (Theater Workshop) led by noted poet W.S. Rendra.
He also read Pulang (Coming Home), a story of love and duty against a political backdrop. Farah Maulida sang traditional Javanese songs throughout the story's reading, providing interesting nuances to the unfolding tale.
Sitok Srengenge, also a former Bengkel Teater member, recited his poems with great charm. He proved to be an accomplished entertainer, offering explanations and jokes between readings. He began with the romantic Di Dalam Cinta (In Love), and read dozens of his poems, including Obituary Bulan (The Moon's Obituary), Teluh Lanang and several works he wrote during his recent two- year stay in the Netherlands.
Sitok possesses a powerful voice and impressive stage presence. But his strength lies in his words. He is a master of lexicon. His words are rhythmic and in harmony, bearing rich meanings.
As he said in his introduction, love holds vast and universal meanings. His poems explored the love of lovers, a parent's love for the child and vice-versa, the love of one's nation that evidences itself as patriotism, as well as coveting the environment and justice.
Utrecht, which he dedicated to "an old poet named Rendra", touches on the evolution of a relationship between teacher and student.
Di jalan simpang kota Utrecht sesudah salju
Willybrodus termangu
Di atas kuda tanpa pelana ia ragu arah tuju
tapi masih saja ia tawarkan rumah kepadaku
"Terimakasih Willy, tapi aku sudah mukim di dalam sunyi.
Wilayah yang sejauh ini masih kau cari."
Orang tua itu gontai dijotos badai
Badai yang menderu dari masa lalu
Lalu ia keluarkan potret lama dari saku mantelnya
-- kulihat wajahku di situ, dan ia berkata
"Ini saya ketika seusia Anda."
"Sudahlah Willy, hari sudah senja.
Saatnya kau masuk kamar, dan aku sudah ditunggu pacar."
(At the crossroads in Utrecht after the snow
Willybrodus was confused
On his unsaddled horse he doubted where to go
Still, he offered me his place
"Thanks Willy, but I have settled in silence
You are still looking for such a faraway place."
The old man weakened as if he was smashed by a storm
The storm that came from the past
And he took out an old picture from his coat pocket
-- I saw my face there - and he said:
"This was me when I was your age."
"Come on Willy, it's getting dark.
It's time for you to go to bed, and my loved one is waiting for me.")
Some might interpret the poem as expressing Sitok's desire to extricate himself from his former teacher's artistic shadow and stand alone. To others, it depicts how his love and respect for Rendra, whose first name is Willybrodus, has been transformed but not diminished by the inexorable passage of time.