DJOHAR, Zubaidah

Memories of Rumoh Geudong II
…..
But

Once he found out

My blood had been spilt in the rumoh geudong

He left without a sigh

Leaving his seed in my womb

…..


Aceh, My Homeland

…..
The untreated and unhealed wounds of women are rent again

in the process of the formalisation of Islamic law

Our womenfolk – who are still at the mercy of those champions

Who proclaim peace and

Spin prayers over their bodies

That they no longer own

///////////////////////////////////////////////


Yes off we went like the wind

But our blood was still boiling in rage

What else could we do?

If we say too much our men will never come back

If we change our story there will be bloodshed

If we say nothing

they will still hunt down our men

Better to flee in silence

while taking the next steps to survive

(Is this your peace sir?)


Teach Me to Forget

Mother, if your love were not there,

my hands would already be wet and red

from the vengeance for the wounds

scattered everywhere and the souls

that have been taken from us.

Mother, if your prayers were not there,

my heart would already be lost

in the dark current of revenge,

searching for breaking hands

and trampling footsteps.

Mother, teach me, teach me,

mother, teach me to forget.


Geleng Rapa’i Geleng

…..
Now we are trying to cleanse

The wounds of history with peace

Do not let the bloodshed begin again!

By the traces of war that never cease

By the unshed tears that have never been wiped away

By the blood that is still oozing

And by the pain of the still open wounds

…..