Poems to Portray Struggles Against Covid19 in Indonesia

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Indonesia is one of the countries struggling against covid19 with limited resources and poor health literacy. People have been switching back and forth from panic buying, hoarding medical supplies, and eventually believing hoaxes that everything is conspiracy. Meanwhile, doctors on the frontline has been struggling with limited protective gears and accusation of making up lies to receive large amount of incentives. Covid19 has also influenced social religious aspect as we normally celebrated Eid al-Fitr by gathering with families. These five poems were written in different dates to portray different aspect of lives in Indonesia during different stages of the pandemic. We sincerely hope that opening up to the world would allow us to acknowledge our mistake and progress toward better future.

Poem 1: Written in April 13th, 2020. Indonesia had 4557 total cases and 399 deaths. The mass panic had resulted in panic buying and limited protective gear. Medical professionals need to create instant protective gear using random materials like plastic bags and colourful raincoats. Meanwhile, the stigma caused by misinformation made people reject the burial of coronavirus victims in their regions despite the safety protocol. One of the deceased whose burial end up being relocated due to the rejection by her neighbours was a nurse.

Soldiers in Polka Dot Raincoat
Stomp, stomp, stomp, we march forward,
On the enemy ground, with syringe and toy gun
We can’t see in the fog, as the enemy is hidden,
Yet we hurt their eyes, as pink raincoat is glaring

The enemy assassins are experts in hiding
Sun-shaped bullets reach a mile, silently gliding
Our vision’s too blurry, but we hope we can parry
We depend on the might of polka dot raincoat
Our feet will not hurt, as we wear plastic bags for shoes

Even when we’re in fear, the war calls the dutiful
Thine Excellency shalt embrace the bodies of the respectful
Even when suspicion comes from both ends of the warzone,
No one is allowed to laugh at the tale retold by angels

We don’t care who’s at fault nor who’s to blame
It’s okay to be afraid; it’s alright to cower,
But for the calming breeze blowing in the future,
We have to combat the malicious peptide vulture

Poem 2 and 3: Written in April 23rd, 2020. Indonesia had 6168 total cases and 647 deaths. People were separated into those who resumed vacation as offices were enforced to provide days off, and people who were panicking due to various information. As lockdown rule had never been formally enforced (only strongly suggested), people were able to go to various places despite the policemen guarding the roads. As the holy month of Islam was coming and holy festival eid al fitri was approaching, people were suggested to not do family gathering, despite the long lasting tradition.

Two Magnet Poles
Two separate magnet poles
Were labeled plus and minus, or south and north
As they reside in their domain, they will not meet

What do you wish to hear, when we read you a book
Do you want the story of the end of the world?
Or you wish for fairy tales where the princess lives forever?

It’s not a countdown on a nuke, but it’s definitely not a fluke
We do not wish for chaos resulting from mass panic
But we’ll scold each of you planning to resume picnic
Maintain your healthy mind and loosen your bind
But remain cautious, even if it means slightly anxious

Temple in Your Heart
The sacred month is coming, the month so awaited,
But blocking its way, the thousand suns bring the curse
While we cleanse the palace for the holy ceremony,
The decree has been made, and the mass shall disperse

It’s not that we abandon God or belittle His might
It’s not that we forsake tradition by denying family reunion
But just for these moments, let the temple be in your heart
For not so long, gather through the webs knitted from electron
To preserve human lives and the elderly wisdom

Your prayer will reach, even from secluded room
The serene temple needs no form to assume
Outreach to god and sing your praise
Meditate and relax, be mindful and stay faithful
God will have his way, but He needs to see us try

Poem 4 and 5: written in July 10th, 2020. Indonesia had 72347 cases and 3469 deaths. Indonesia has grown tired of the semi-enforced lockdown. People are coming back out despite keeping their distance, but more than a third of people walk around without masks. The premature announcement of new normal and the lack of the previously-imagined apocalypse make people believe that everything is just a lie. Despite the rising deaths of medical professionals and the lack of fund from the government, people are making accusation that doctors are making up positive cases to receive 100 million rupiahs from government incentive. Burial of covid19 patients are often interrupted by mobs opening up protective casket and even removing protective gears from medical professionals.

Hocus Pocus, Hoax
Hocus pocus, hoacus pocus
With the swing of magic wand, rises the castle of sand
Hoacus pocus, hocus pocus
With the growth of giant tree, we get a palace in the cloud for free

We prefer magical story to coherent reality
Even when professors and accomplished doctors die
Even when you feast on the meat of your own kin
We break reputation for colossal fiction

It’s easier to believe that the whole thing is deceit
Pushing to the edge the ones who try to protect
Accusing them as liar, with the evil schemes so perfect
You think they get money from the deal so sweet

Still, you choose to feed the dragon steed of the golden knight
You sacrifice living humans for the lies of mythical snakes

It wasn’t easy
It wasn’t easy to see those who fall
The ones who fight for others and stand up tall
The ones who move to the front when we switch to the back
It wasn’t easy to escape and watch the bones crack

But we need to make peace about who we can protect with our arms
We’ll let go of some allies we knew back in school
And let their stories pass to the future generation
So peel your eyes open and memorize every motion

Poem 6: Written in September 8th 2020. Indonesia has 200,035 positive cases and 8,130 deaths. Indonesia had just celebrated independence day around a month ago, but it only signified that both our mythical symbol, Garuda, and our national flag became silent witnesses of the deaths and the ignorance. Around 107 doctors have died as confirmed covid-19 patients or highly probable cases.

Eggs of Garuda
Six month passes as the unforgiving clock ticks away
Yet a third of the mass think they don’t need mask
Cruel as it can be, the one who serves a thousand
Collects curses of many, who inhale them like air

The Garuda witnesses as the nation weeps
Indonesian flag waves, the red and white colors are visible
But the blood of Garuda is blended at the top red of the flag
It drips to the white that’s supposed to remain humble

The Garuda is frail, it’s hunched in pain
Yet the words of leaders lose to judgment of the web
Social media is seen as prophecy of the great saint
People believe that the disease is just the kings’ feint

Yet the Garuda will not lose its prideful stare
It thinks that the time is near for a fatal injury
But we will pass the message to the child of the future
The mighty bird will not lose its bravery
However much in pain, it will protect its lair

For the eggs that haven’t hatched, we will write down the tale
A hundred years later, the next Garuda will prevail