Land of the Rooster’s Nest

Land of the Rooster’s Nest.

By Kang Aceng Tea. (*)

Which morning did you say you had passion?
We live in a land of thieves’ nests.

You said freedom.
Independence has been taken away.
by a small powerful group
A little talk of freedom.
You’re under arrest for the rubber articles that are ready to wrap your hands around.

Justice only exists in puppet plays.
For the law is torn.
in the drawers of judges and prosecutors
The law becomes a bargaining chip
the police and the lawyers
Power is interpreted for innocence
The Constitution has been raped by the ruler.

Prosperity only exists
on a bedtime story
For the people have been driven away.
from the land of one’s fathers
Natural resources have been depleted
From mine, lead, nickel, coal
and the oil has been oiled
even to the sea shore
It’s been fenced and caved in.

Which morning did you say you had passion?
We live in a land of thieves’ nests.

Educational institutions have
be torn to shreds
and be struck in a flutter
When doctor’s and professor’s degrees are sold, buy them.
A circling diploma was forged.
Pure scholars are lining up to be unemployed.

Children’s moral decadence is getting damaged
the mischief of one’s parents is increasing
Online gambling and drugs
be widespread in anesthesia
the joints of life.

Corruption of nepotism manipulation
be increasingly put on display
Intimidation of persecution and criminalization
get lively everywhere
The supremacy of law
no longer upright and select
politicians and rulers
be busy holding each other hostage
The common people
keep crying out for hunger.

Which morning did you say you had passion?
We live in a land of thieves’ nests.


*Chattering
The Street Poet
From the Sundanese Tatars.

—