The Bay of Jayakatra

Waves are breaking on the shore

The wind blows softly

The coronal of coconuts is swaying

In heavenly space, clouds gambol.

Birds soar and hover

The reeds sing “oh my darling”

They babble and sing harmoniously

The wide sea is all green.

Steamers give off rising curls

Over the Sea of Java

I am sitting, heart-heavy

Watching the boats go to sea.

A stranger I on the soil of Java

Alone, as though marooned

My heart is unspeakably sad

When I sleep, it is but lightly.

My thoughts roam I know not where

Now to the East, now the North,

I gaze upon the place far distant

Where the sky and water meet.

Before me the forest is still young

Where I met you

Where you sang of love

Where our lips joined.

They come again old thoughts

To aggrieve my heart and distress me

Recalling happiness too brief

For afterward, you had gone.

The waves leap upon the rocks

The wind caresses my heart away

Young girls laughing awaken my desire

And bring me memories of you, my dearest.

O light, o darling of my heart,

Look, the waves are caressed by twilight

Do you remember how it was

When you couched upon my knees?

Amir Hamzah
tr. after Damais