Isa Kamari has written in Malay, 9 novels, 2 collections of poetry, a collection of short stories, a book of essays on Singapore Malay poetry, a collection of theater scripts and lyrics of 2 song albums.
His novels have been translated into English, Turkish, Urdu, Indonesian and Mandarin.
His collections of essays and selected poems have been translated into English. His first novel in English, Tweet was published in 2016. Isa was conferred the S.E.A Write Award in 2006, Singapore Cultural Medallion in 2007 and the AnugerahTun Seri Lanang in 2009.
Poems of Kamari
SumpahPendekar
Kepalangularkepalangbisa
Kepalangtawarsembahderhaka
Kepalangmaluleherterpancung
Kepalangundurmayatdiusung
Biarmatiakal
Biarmatilangkah
Biarmatisumpahlaknat
Biarmatikelibatmalaikat
Ambil raga ambilnyawa
Kayupemukulkayu long
Tikamlidahtikamleher
Tikamdadaperutterburai
Pancutdarahnyawaterlerai
Pendekarmenciumtanah
Darahmenjadinanah
Nanahmenjadi bara neraka
Biarmatiaku
Biarmatikamu
Biarmati kami
Biarmatikita
Akuserah
Kepalangdosa
Kepalangluka
Kepalangduka
Kamubersimbahdarah
A Warrior’s Curse
Since the snake has bitten
Since the heart is hurt in revolt
Oh, this shame! I’d rather be decapitate
Death not retreat will be my destiny
Let this confusion
Let this desperation
Let curses of evil
Welcome the Dark Angel
Take my body, take my breath
Death strikes deep in the grave
Shut my voice, pierce my neck
Stab my chest, my gut disembowel
Let blood spurt and life untangle
A warrior would rather kiss the Earth
Blood turns to pus
Pus turns to Hell’s amber
Let me die
So you die
Let us die
So we die
I give you
My sin
My hurt
My sorrow
You’ll bathe in blood
(Translated by Isa Kamari)
GunungBerapi
rekahbumi
lerenghitam
buktijazirah
pernahmelahar
rekahhati
relunglegam
buktidiri
pernahterbakar
olehdosa
dansepi
langitmerah
pasirberdarah
bahang bara akhirat
merentungjiwa
Volcanic Eruption
the earth broke apart
the hills were black
the mountains of the peninsula
ran with lava
hearts were shattered
covered by blackness
proof that the self
had been burned by fire
by sin
and by isolation
the sky turned red
the sand bled
the furnace of these final coals
turned souls to ash
(Translated by Harry Aveling)
TasikRindu
dalamdiamkukesangerak
permukaantasik yang berkaca
ditatangriakminda
begitulahtafakurkupadamu
dalamgerakkugenangdiam
teratai yang dibuaibayu
dibendungasyikkalbu
begitulahmunajatkupadamu
embunmenitis
mengocakgelora di permukaan
luaskasihmumenebarpusaransyahdu
hidupkudicucurirahmat
gemadangerakkudrat
memautdamai di tepian
sebutirembunkautitis
seumurhidupku
lemasditenggelami
tasikrindu
Lake of Longing
In silence I detect movement
The glazed surface of the lake
Stilled by the rigor of the mind
Such is my meditation of You.
In movement I embrace silence
The lotus swayed by the breeze
Guarded by the attentive soul
Such is my prayer of You.
The dew drops
Desire stirs the surface
Your vast Love spreads circles of endearing waves
My life is blessed by your Grace
Echo and movement of Destiny
Cling to tranquility at the banks.
A drop you give
My entire life
Is deluged
By the lake of longing.
(Translated by Isa Kamari)
Books of Kamari
Homeland of Isa Kamari
