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Moving People With Words

Poems on the MRT

Kreok-kreok / Squeaks by Herman Rothman

 

Kreok-kreok
Herman Rothman

Kreok-kreok beca
meredah waktu
memungut butiran rezeki
sepanjang jalan kehidupan
demi anak isteri
supaya terisi perut budi
dan menebal ilmu di dada generasi
Biar tersimpul urat di kaki
dan keringat menenggelami dahi
esok takkan datang percuma
hari ini penerus nadi jaya.


Squeaks
Written by Herman Rothman
Translated by Alfian Sa’at

The squeaks of the trishaw
cut through time
collecting grains of sustenance
throughout life’s journey
for the sake of wife and children
so that stomachs will be sated on virtue
and knowledge thicken in the chests of generations
Let the veins bulge in the legs
and sweat drown the brow
tomorrow will not come in vain
as today relays the pulse of glory.

Published in Antologi Puisi Bebas Melata: Merenda Kasih, Karya-karya Penyair 4 Negara

Herman Rothman is a librarian specialising in collection development, content creation, and fostering community partnerships, with a strong focus on Malay language, literature and reading initiatives. He has contributed as a presenter, moderator, and panelist at notable literary events, including the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF), Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC), MOE’s Mother Tongue Language Symposium (MTLS), and the KL International Book Fair (KLIBF). Outside of work, Herman enjoys immersing himself in Malay short stories, poetry, and motivational words over a cup of tea, all while nurturing the dream of penning a book that bears his own voice.

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Poems on the MRT is an initiative by the National Arts Council, in partnership with SMRT and Stellar Ace. Produced by Sing Lit Station, a local literary non-profit organisation, this collaboration displays excerpts of Singapore poetry throughout SMRT’s train network, integrating local literature into the daily experience of commuters. Look out for poems in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil in trains on the East-West, North-South and Circle Lines, as well as videos created by local artists and featuring local poets in stations and on trains. The Chinese, Malay, and Tamil poems are available in both the original languages and English. To enjoy the full poems, commuters may read them on go.gov.sg/potm.

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