By Sastri Bakry
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Imagine more than 90 poets from around the world sitting together in one room. Some come from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Their languages are different, their religions are different, and their cultures are different. But they share one common language: poetry.
Baca juga: TRIO SRIKANDI KOTA BATU
That is what Anthology: Contemporary World Poetry, published by Kathak Publishing House, is about. This anthology brings together important poetic voices from around the world today. Among them are Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate from Nigeria, Adonis from Syria, Rita Dove from the United States, and dozens of other prominent names.
An Indonesian Voice Is There
Baca juga: Kumpulan Puisi Karya Leni Marlina: "BERAS DENGAN JANTUNG HUJAN"
What makes us proud is that, amid all this diversity, there is also a voice from Indonesia. A poem from our country stands alongside the works of world literary masters.
Through this book, the Minangkabau principles of “raso jo pareso” and the values of ABS-SBK (Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah) are also brought to the attention of international readers. This is proof that words from our nagari can, in fact, be relevant and worthy of being heard by the world.
This is not about competing over who is better. It is about recognising that Indonesian literature has a place in the global conversation.
For that, I would like to express my gratitude to Aminur Rahman, who appreciated and selected my poem to stand alongside poets from around the world. My thanks also go to Kathak Publishing House, which honoured me with the Kathak Literary Award in 2024.
Poetry: Medicine for a Troubled World
Why does this book matter now? Because we live in an age that is fast-paced, driven by virality, noisy, and increasingly angry. Many people are losing their sense of direction. Many young people are experiencing an identity crisis. This is where the poems in this book offer a pause. They invite us to stop for a moment, take a breath, and ask ourselves:
“Who are we, really?” There are poems about war that remind us of our humanity. There are poems about mothers that offer strength. There are poems about nature that awaken our longing for kampuang. There are also poems about injustice and the sorrow of war.
Their stories are different, but their purpose is one: to remind us of our human nature and to preserve noble values.
Who Is This Book For? Do not imagine that a poetry book must be difficult or inaccessible. This book is suitable for:
1. Teachers and Lecturers — as a resource for teaching world literature.
2. Young People — for those searching for their identity through words.
3. Culture Lovers — for readers longing for literature that is profound yet beautiful.
4. All of Us — who need a pause from endlessly scrolling through our phones.
Preserving Dignity Through Words
The forum “Menjaga Marwah Ranah ABS-SBK” held some time ago reminded us of the importance of strengthening and protecting the younger generation. One way to do this is through literature.
As long as there are people who continue to write, and as long as there are people who continue to read poetry, the dignity of a nation will not die.
Because a great nation is not defined only by the strength of its economy. It is also defined by whether its poetry is alive. The book “Anthology: Contemporary World Poetry” deserves a place on our bookshelves.
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Padang, August 2026
