For freedom, patriotism & civilised humanity.
Reflecting upon American passion for freedom and the role America played in 1944 and 1945 in ending Japanese colonialism in Indonesia, Jakarta poet Maman A Majd Binfas sent me the above Indonesian words.
Lest We Forget
Geoff Fox, 7th January 2021, Down Under
The Indonesian text here is an edited version of a quote from a Rumi inspired passage in the book “Mamonisme” by Maman A Majid Binfas of Jakarta. It means “Give a home to their bodies but not to their souls. Their souls reside in the future.”
My English lines are inspired by an American equivalent of Rumi, country singer Paul Siebel.
Lest we forget: children can unite us.
Without them our world dies.
Geoff Fox 31st December 2020 Down Under
Bugis elder Daeng Aspar Paturusi looks to the future from the deep foundation of faith.
6th July 2020
Ceoff Fox, 4th July, 2020
This declaration marks the 75th anniversary of the Second Battle of Balikpapan in which 229 Australians died for freedom against tyranny.
July First, 2020
To survive we have to balance freedom with discipline, caution with courage and adaption in the world with love of God.
Geoff Fox, 17th April, 2020
We need to be where we are loved.
For me, that’s Indonesia.
Most of the lights of my life are there.
Geoff Fox, Easter Sunday, 2020, Terra Nullius
This version of Waltzing Matilda is sung as best I can in Indonesian language. I hope a better singer will take it up. Click here for an instrumental version.
We must understand the problem of suicide to solve it and stop losing those lives. The Australian nation embraces this song about suicide in poverty. Why?
GLOSSARY
BILLABONG a small pond which used to be part of a river
BILLY a tin can for boiling water
COOLIBAH a type of outback tree
JUMBUCK a sheep
MATILDA the swag (see swagman below)
SQUATTER someone who gained possession of land by occupying it; they were rich men by the late 1800;s when the song was written.
SWAGMAN hobo, itinerant worker who carried all he owned rolled up in a swag on his back.
TUCKER food
WALTZING to travel on foot
Geoff Fox 22nd March, 2020, Terra Nullius.
In awe of Indonesia’s dynamic duo, Bung Karno and Pak Harto ……….. 2 amazing men, 2 amazing spirits ………..
This short film marks the 93rd birthday of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU):
tujuhbelasan.net 