A mother’s letter

Go through the great world, child of mine

find a free life!

While the wind is at your back

and the sun is shining on the leaves

of the forest and the green fields.

Go upon the wide sea, child of mine

find a world of free men!

While it is not yet dark

and twilight tinges not the sky

shutting the doors of the past.

When the shadows are fled

the sea eagle come back to her nest

and the wind blows upon the earth

the masts dried out on their own

and the helmsman be without compass

then you may return to me!

Return then, child of mine

return from night’s far region!

And when your boat draw near the shore

then we will talk

“Of love and the life you’ll have in the morning.”

Asrul Sani
tr. after Damais