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Boxing fights are the opening menu
two pairs of tiny black sarongs
wrapped around two pairs of small fist
dancing in the singing ring
pounding rhythmically, following the rigid footwork

The night is still young
Malem Diwa is still living
on Teungku Adnan's chest which opened the way
while commenting on the fight:
"The winner gets two ringgit,
If you diarrhea please go to guha! "

It was a spell chanted every night
before Malem Diwa got to the throat
the rays of the petromax were still fierce
until he swings the sword from the saddle horse
then faded when he met Meureundam Dewi

But romance doesn't last in the dark
because the Trobadour called Bang Man
a flaming warrior
then Malem Diwa continued roaring
until the night gets old

Lorong Asa, June 2020

Note:
Malem Diwa is a folk tale in Aceh. Guha = cave.

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Sebelum Hikayat Malem Diwa

Tarung tinju jadi menu pembuka
dua pasang sarung hitam mungil
membungkus dua pasang bogem kecil
menari di atas ring menyanyi
menderap berirama, mengikuti gerak kaki yang kaku

Malam masih belia
Malem Diwa masih bersemanyam
di dada Teungku Adnan yang membuka jalan
sambil mengomentari pertarungan:
“Pemenang dapat dua ringgit,
Kalau cirit pergilah ke guha!”

Itulah mantra yang dirapal setiap malam
sebelum Malem Diwa tiba di tenggorokan
sinar petromaks masih tetap garang
sampai ia mengayun pedang dari kuda tunggangan
lalu meredup ketika berjumpa Meureundam Dewi

Tapi percintaan tak berlangsung dalam remang
sebab Sang Trobadour memanggil Bang Man
seorang pendekar pembakar nyala
lalu Malem Diwa terus melaju deru
sampai malam menua

Lorong Asa, Juni 2020

Catatan:
Malem Diwa adalah cerita rakyat di Aceh. Guha = gua.

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