LESSON FROM AN OLD WARRIOR
An old man sitting on an old chair said,
“Today the wind rustles the terrace of the house, rustles the roof. A pale yellow light, still and intense, glimmered through the leaves. The voices swaying from the edge of the hill. Her soft exhale carried the scent of flowers. Fresh with falling dew. It's the anniversary of the whole country."
I just smiled, could only smile and say yes.
An old man sitting on an old chair said,
“And under the courtyard windows of this house gleamed greenish light like a tapestry. Group of flowers blooming. Splash of lively fish in the pond. Butterflies flutter the chest.
I just smiled, could only smile and say yes.
An old man sitting on an old chair said,
“Oh, that night is so beautiful, the sky is crimson but it is scary. My fingers trembled against the trigger of the old rifle. My chest is the altar of prayer. Beating and numb to say all the prayers and sorrows form. Every word knocks on a sacred promise to the country, as well as self-defense."
I just smiled, could only smile and say yes.
An old man sitting on an old chair started shouting,
“I wake up in pain; wound faces were in all eyes. Come crowds of thousands of autumn flowers. They say die one grows a thousand. But the air reeks of blood and gunpowder, demanding the death of one grows by the thousands."
I just smiled, could only smile and say yes.
An old man sitting on an old chair started screaming very loudly,
“I know what I heard, we are free! Indonesia has become independent! Happy echoes wash away the sorrows of the past. Oh, freedom belongs to whom? All of you. But I will also raise my flag in my heart—the flag of my heart high. My own independence—freedom alone until death.”
I just smiled, could only smile and say yes.
An old man sitting on an old chair smiled and whispered softly,
"Look, look at that, the flag flying in this courtyard is 77 years old."
His old finger pointed out the window past me.
I just smile, can only smile. The old warrior had been blind in both eyes since 77 years ago, when a grenade exploded nearby.
In what he has said, I learned about this country. So much more, than anything I've read and heard since childhood.
- Mahesa Jenar
Yogya, 16 August 2022