Api dan Acuh

Bau tajam terlampau

Satu penumpang lusuh

Bawa hawa tembakau

Sambil lalu duduk acuh

Menyeruak si putih batang

Bertemu api senanglah ia

Mengepulkan asap radang

Bernikmat hisaplah si pria

Aku terbatuk mendekap

Tunjukkan antipati rasa

Akan tetapi si penghisap

Lanjut acuh tanpa berdosa

Dunia makin menjadi kejam

Tak anyal manusia acuh

Diri tanpa peduli tertanam

Terus mau jadi apa, musuh?

Pertanyakanlah diri

Apa t'lah terhanyut arus

Pusaran ego tiada peduli

Akhirnya tak saling urus

Pria tembakau satu contoh

Bagaimana manusia t'lah berubah

Perang nuklir menyeloroh

Atau perang dingin saling acuh

Putar kembali pikirmu

Akankah asap kau tebar

Meradang dada sampingmu

Ataukah,

Masih ada hatimu

Tahan pemantik, agar

Api tak bakar putih batangmu

(HS. Balikpapan, Dec 27 2011)

This poem (in Indonesian Language) is multiinterpretation, contains two parallel meanings. Perhaps, I can say: Only the sensitive word-transferred men/women who can recognize the differences. I would tell you mine.

First, it tells you about smoking is one of ongoing concern of human behavior changing. People tends not to much care and appreciative anymore in this kinda modern life, much more individualistic, and less concern to emphaty with others' feeling. It is shown from smoking behavior, especially in public, which is careless to other feelings of non-smoking people around. One more example is how people easily speak about people's minuses or even careless with other human's feelings, dignity, and rights to be appreciated and loved.

Second, you might think it tells about smoking and awareness not to smoke, especially in public. But, literally it contains different meaning of 'cigarette', 'fire lighter', 'fire', or 'smoke'. 'Cigarette' means something deep inside yourself, your potential, can be positives that easily turn to negatives if they are stimulated by 'fire lighter'. The 'fire' means your undefended impulse to be out that can potentially harm others' entitlements and hearts.

Though, the 'smoke' can be easily translated as the impact that happen if you do your unintended or intended action that can make other people feel uncomfortable or even heartache. For instances, your provocative speak or rumor you spread on the society, so that the atmosphere isn't as good as before. Or for love-life, you play 'fire' of hope with girls so that the 'smoke' that will happen is the girl falling in love with you but with no hope furthermore.

So, as I said before, 'Only the sensitive word-transferred men/women who can recognize the differences', are you one of them?

Can anyone guess the differences? Please give your brilliant comprehension to this poem :)