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Poems Of A Sinner
Poems of a Sinner is a collection by A. Wahab Ali as he discovers the beautiful and the fresh, in undefined questions and presentations, rich in expressions and experiences as seen by the Malay. Composed in various locations in Southeast Asia between 197401977, these poems reflect the individuality and the tradition of his people.
With this collection, this poet-scholar sings the heart-song of his people, contributing significantly to the treasury of Malay literature.
With this collection, this poet-scholar sings the heart-song of his people, contributing significantly to the treasury of Malay literature.
129 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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March 11, 2018Well i havent finished it yet because i borrowed it from the library . i wanted to start reading poems to improve my bahasa melayu vocab and this book caught my eye. it was a dwibahasa so i can refer it easily. i honestly love it , i learnt some new words and it was such a thoughtful and meaningful book. i will continue reading it if i go to the library next time :)
October 10, 2022
Meminggir ke kiri berakhir dengan cap penderhaka
Meminggir ke kanan berakhir dengan cap pengampu
- Intelek Melayu by A. Wahab Ali (Sajak orang berdosa)
.
.
I finished reading this in one sitting. This is honestly a solid collection of deep, powerful and evocative poems. It was divided into 5 sections and it was placed together with english translation just in case any non Malaysians wanted to read this. My favourite sections would definitely be ‘Protest tak jadi / Unrealised Protest’ and ‘ Serpihan Renung / The fragmented contemplation’ . Not that the other 3 sections is not good enough but the first 2 is so bold that it really stood out among his other poems. I also liked poems that he penned about the Malays specifically on the psyche, intellect and culture. This is my first time reading his work and it will definitely will not be the last. What an impactful reading!
.
‘Protest Tak Jadi’ brought political messages into it but it has cynical tones. It’s not necessarily anti government but it subtly demonstrated how government worked these days. The frustration on the red tape and bureaucracy in the system truly showed in ‘Sifir Kanak-Kanak Masyarakat Dadah’. Here’s how it goes :
“Pegawai besar Kecil
Pegang Telefon
He He He
Belek-belek fail
jam tiga setengah
sudah kemas meja”.
.
‘Serpihan Renung’ has quite diverse poems in it but i was more intrigued with ‘Siapa pun sampai waktunya’. The poem highlighted the contemplation done by the poet after he punished his kids to stop their fighting.
“Sebaik selesai pengadilan
bersidang lagi mahkamah
pendakwa rakyanya hati kecilku
dan jurinya jari-jari panasku
menunjuk tajam :
Kau juga penyalahguna institusi yang ada”
.
‘Puisi Kecil’ only featured 8 of his poems - the one that i felt connection with is ‘Puisi’. It shared with readers that poetry invoke solitariness - that once you understood what that particular poem is all about, you connect to it right away.
“Puisi itu sepi
pada kata-kata
dalamnya nyaman pengalaman
dari renungan”.
.
‘Doa orang berdosa’ in Poems of a sinner demonstrated how the sinner regretted his past sins towards God. As he’s getting older, he felt that his days is numbered.
“Tuhanku
semakin umurku melaju
pejal pertahanan
merapuh
tinggal kental hanya
pengalaman
berat dihela
ke hari pertimbangan”.
.
‘Inspirasi di perjalanan’ took us readers into the poet’s journey to Southeast Asian Countries like Indonesia , Singapore and The Philippines. When he encountered the beauty of Toba lake for the first time, this is what he wrote :
“Namamu mengimbau aku ke mari
Aku pun seperti penglipur lara
membisik-bisik namamu.
Pertemuan kita
Penemuan alamiah
Kau terkapar di tengah permai
Aku berdiri di tengah ramai.
Meminggir ke kanan berakhir dengan cap pengampu
- Intelek Melayu by A. Wahab Ali (Sajak orang berdosa)
.
.
I finished reading this in one sitting. This is honestly a solid collection of deep, powerful and evocative poems. It was divided into 5 sections and it was placed together with english translation just in case any non Malaysians wanted to read this. My favourite sections would definitely be ‘Protest tak jadi / Unrealised Protest’ and ‘ Serpihan Renung / The fragmented contemplation’ . Not that the other 3 sections is not good enough but the first 2 is so bold that it really stood out among his other poems. I also liked poems that he penned about the Malays specifically on the psyche, intellect and culture. This is my first time reading his work and it will definitely will not be the last. What an impactful reading!
.
‘Protest Tak Jadi’ brought political messages into it but it has cynical tones. It’s not necessarily anti government but it subtly demonstrated how government worked these days. The frustration on the red tape and bureaucracy in the system truly showed in ‘Sifir Kanak-Kanak Masyarakat Dadah’. Here’s how it goes :
“Pegawai besar Kecil
Pegang Telefon
He He He
Belek-belek fail
jam tiga setengah
sudah kemas meja”.
.
‘Serpihan Renung’ has quite diverse poems in it but i was more intrigued with ‘Siapa pun sampai waktunya’. The poem highlighted the contemplation done by the poet after he punished his kids to stop their fighting.
“Sebaik selesai pengadilan
bersidang lagi mahkamah
pendakwa rakyanya hati kecilku
dan jurinya jari-jari panasku
menunjuk tajam :
Kau juga penyalahguna institusi yang ada”
.
‘Puisi Kecil’ only featured 8 of his poems - the one that i felt connection with is ‘Puisi’. It shared with readers that poetry invoke solitariness - that once you understood what that particular poem is all about, you connect to it right away.
“Puisi itu sepi
pada kata-kata
dalamnya nyaman pengalaman
dari renungan”.
.
‘Doa orang berdosa’ in Poems of a sinner demonstrated how the sinner regretted his past sins towards God. As he’s getting older, he felt that his days is numbered.
“Tuhanku
semakin umurku melaju
pejal pertahanan
merapuh
tinggal kental hanya
pengalaman
berat dihela
ke hari pertimbangan”.
.
‘Inspirasi di perjalanan’ took us readers into the poet’s journey to Southeast Asian Countries like Indonesia , Singapore and The Philippines. When he encountered the beauty of Toba lake for the first time, this is what he wrote :
“Namamu mengimbau aku ke mari
Aku pun seperti penglipur lara
membisik-bisik namamu.
Pertemuan kita
Penemuan alamiah
Kau terkapar di tengah permai
Aku berdiri di tengah ramai.
September 7, 2021
Bahasa yang tak rumit tapi menusuk ke jiwa.
Namun, amatlah memberi kesan emosi yang mendalam pada saya. Agak lama juga saya hendak habiskan bacaan sebab rasa sesak dan mengena sangat sajak-sajak beliau dengan situasi masa kini.
Baca pula ketika pandemik, apatah lagi situasi politik negara dalam keadaan gawat.
Namun, amatlah memberi kesan emosi yang mendalam pada saya. Agak lama juga saya hendak habiskan bacaan sebab rasa sesak dan mengena sangat sajak-sajak beliau dengan situasi masa kini.
Baca pula ketika pandemik, apatah lagi situasi politik negara dalam keadaan gawat.
July 27, 2011
BERSABAR menyelak puisi dalam Sajak Orang Berdosa dan jangan lekas untuk protes sehinggalah kita sampai ke puisi Surat Protes Tak Jadi. Puisi sinikal A Wahab Ali mengingatkan dekad kepenyairannya ketika itu yang sarat dengan protes-protes dan demonstrasi-demonstrasi.
May 21, 2013
Puisi sindiran buat para pendosa. Aku lebih gemar puisi yang berjudul 'Surat Protes Tak Jadi/The Unwritten Letter Of Protes'.
May 16, 2016
sindiran menggunakan bahasa yang indah dan bebunga
cukup rencah & rasa.
Puas!
cukup rencah & rasa.
Puas!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews