Johar Buang is a gifted poet who writes in Malay, the national language of Singapore. His works in various genres have won awards and received much recognition in the Malay Archipelago. "Love on Mount Palmer" is an important poem that narrates a nation that values progress and pragmatism, at times forcing other aspects of life to take a back seat. Progress is often arduous and competitive; and some things must be sacrificed. One wonders then where race, religion, and language stand, beyond the national pledge. Profoundly woven and succinctly depicting the journey of the Self in this world, the poem unravels the soul of a poet who espouses Sufi teachings but never ceases to share his concerns for worldly struggles. This poem transcends the subliminal realm of faith to seek refuge in one’s identity and physical existence on this earth. One feels the evocativeness of the words the poet uses to break silences that enable the reconciliation of past and present. The Scriptural references are juxtaposed with one of the most sacred sites in Singapore, the poet’s homeland. Set on a hill, the shrine of a faithful soul provides solace for a multicultural and multifaith society where the pursuit of success and wealth is depicted by many skyscrapers bearing the names of banks and housing an extensive list of major economic stakeholders. One wonders whether the highway was constructed around the hill instead of cutting across it as a mark of respect, or as the legends claim--no one can touch the revered one. In a competitive and at times ruthless race, faith and beliefs are put on trial. Will the tide of development be a threat to domes and mountains that are synonymous with spirituality? Or is the temple of God to be found in the Self? The poem seeks to enlighten and liberate us so that we can comprehend the Self first before we seek to elevate or bury God.
- Annaliza Bakri
The Brooklyn Rail welcomes you to our web-exclusive section InTranslation, where we feature unpublished translations of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramatic writing. Published since April 2007, InTranslation is a venue for outstanding work in translation and a resource for translators, authors, editors, and publishers seeking to collaborate.
We seek exceptional unpublished English translations from all languages.
Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry: Manuscripts of no longer than 20 pages (double-spaced).
Plays: Manuscripts of no longer than 30 pages (in left-justified format).