by Yohanes Manhitu
The world wind can’t be stopped
and a whirlwind can suddenly arrive.
Therefore, keep your lamp burning
to light the path to the hopeful place.
Every time your lamp seems to go out
due to oil shortage or wind strengthening.
But quickly refill it with oil
and save it from wind blowing.
The path is still long and the wind remains,
always trying to put out the lamp
that saves you from deep darkness
on the path to the hopeful place.
Keep your lamp burning
though every wind wants to put it out
with strong blowing and great noise,
for only you’re a good lamp keeper.
Ungaran, Central Java, 30 Dec. 2022
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Original version (in the Dawan language):
MPANAT PAKU HE NPIN NABALA
Atuis/alulat: Yohanes Manhitu
Anin pah-pinan i lof ka nabè’ fa makain
ma nautus nabè’ natból nokaskeken.
Es onnane, mpanat ho paku he npin
he ntanâ lalan neu bael-mafnekan.
Haef-haef ho paku onlê he nmaet
fun min’e he okê aî ainne namép.
Me lablaba he muheun mufanî
ma mukín mane nâko ainne fún.
Lalne fê namnaun ma ainne nabala
ma in naim piuta he nâmaet paku
lê nasoin ko nâko mèsökan ‘naek
nbi lalan neu ho bael-mafnekan.
Mpanat ho paku he npin nabala
masi anin humâ-humâ he nâmate
nèk fut amepat ma slutuf manenû,
fun ala ho es paku in apanat alekot.
Yogyakarta, Funhâ 2008
