Poetry

The Ferry-Tale

Based on a true story

The tragedy of Sewol Ferry Sinking (South Korea, April, 16 2014)

The land of Ginseng once told a tragedy.

About the Ferry-tale that will be in the history.

Right after the sea swallowed the whole Ferry

Many people became so angry.

The blank eyes observed the atmosphere

It was the girl sat in the chair.

Didn’t know whom to share

A young lady approached to care.

“Hey, dear. Your beautiful eyes

like a star that hide its shine.

It is sweet, but as cold as ice.

Would you mind your story to be mine?”

“No one I know.

Nowhere to go.

Nobody care my sorrow.

I asked them to help, they said ‘no’.

I just ask where is my family now,

but they said ‘let it go’.

I wanna cry. I wanna shout calling their names.

My Ma, Pa, and my dear brother, I couldn’t find their existences.”

“O dear, don’t follow your confusion.

Raise your head and be in the stable rhyme.

Here many people don’t reach any conclusion.

O dear, Where is the last time?”

“Nowhere but… at the ferry. When my brother left me with this jacket of life.”

The girl pointed out to the dark ocean

Where the rescue team was seeking for the life sign

Then the girl told a tale of a vacation

That turned into a tragic line.

The girl excitedly said to her beloved brother,

“Dear my brother, do you hear my heart beats?

You, Ma, Pa and I together celebrate the blossom of the year

Above this magnificent Ferry seats.”

“Like a baby get a colorful candy

I feel comfy with the oneness of our family

As free as the bird sings a melody

I know this journey will end happily.”

Days had left. The ferry planned to visit the paradise

When a sudden collision pulled the big ship to the hell of life.

Every people shouting, everybody running like mice

Finding a safe place to stay away from the dead knife

Like a guardian angel with its protected wing

The brother embraced his little sister searching for a certainty

A light of hope came from an orange vest like precious thing

That will bring a one life into the infinity

“Hold this vest with your life.

Live for your future life

The past is ours,

The future is yours.”

“What do you mean by that?

Brother, is everything all right?

Something frightening run into my blood

All I can do is praying to the God”

“O dear, don’t follow your confusion.

I’ll search for Ma and Pa, and I’ll be back.

Now I’ll tell you my biggest confession.

I do love you, but don’t follow my back.”

The time did not want to conspire with life

To set all the passenger alive

Two hours felt like two minutes, two minutes felt like a second.

And the Ferry approached the very bottom of the ocean

The girl had a second chance to live. It was the sacrifice from the brother

“Now, here I am

A girl waiting for a miracle.

Hopeless to see them

Doubtful to face a new cycle.”

“O dear, let me wipe your tears.

Don’t follow your fears.

Let me whisper in your ears.

The past is ours, and the future is yours.”

The young lady embraced her, and the girl felt familiar warmth.

The young lady left her, smiled, and disappeared in a crowd.

It was the meaningful smile that the girl had ever seen before.

A Dialogue Poem by:

Lintang Fitriapri

Nida Lathifah

Nurul Shobrina Imamah