To my aunt, Antonia Tunliu

Life is like a long journey
leading us to eternal questions
because its extremity is a puzzle
and its end is like a surprise

Take care of your body and soul!
Who knows what will happen
in one minute to come?
heaven has the knowledge

There is a time for tears to drop,
there is a time for hearts to get hurt,
there are hours for hope to be blind,
but tomorrow the sun will still shine

Jogjakarta, 27 April 2004


The Dawanese version:

Manas Lof Fê Natból

Nâko Yohanes Manhitu

Neu Mamâ Antonia Tunliu

Monit i onlê lalan amnanut es,
lê neik kit neu hantotis piuta
fun in tuän onlê lasi-'tekâ mesê,
ini msoupun onlê lasi-skeken es.

Mpanat ho aom ma ho smanam!
Sekau es nahín sâ es lof a-npoi
nbin menit mesê amnemat i?
neno tunan, in es napán hine.

Nmuî tabu neu nú he natkua,
nmuî leku neu nekaf he napáp,
nmuî oras neu fnekan he nfól.
me nokâ manas lof fê natból.

Jogjakarta, 27 Funhâ 2004