Ancestral Seeds: A Narrative Poem
I was researching climate change when I repeatedly came across articles about the negative impact of climate change on indigenous communities in the eastern islands of Indonesia. Modernity in terms of forced unsustainable practices in the long run is doing more harm than good, especially in times of climate change. But these communities are coming together and finding a way for sustainable solutions. It’s actually the women who are taking action. This poem is inspired by these brave and resourceful women.
The poem is quite long. I don’t want to lose the reader so I gave the poem a definite structure with a beginning, middle and end. The narrative arc goes from a situation of peace and abundance in the beginning to disruption, loss, ancestral memory, and ends with action and renewal.
Some notes on cultural elements in the poem:
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The goddess Jedo Pare is still very much revered in the region. The people place offerings on an altar for the goddess, seeking protection for their newly planted crops and giving thanks for abundant harvests.
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The Rangkong bird is the mighty hornbill, revered in many parts of Indonesia. In this poem, the bird becomes a metaphor for the women’s strength and resilience.
I hope you enjoy the poem.
Workshopped with the SEA Lit Circle Team and published in issue 4 of Pandan Weekly.
Here's an audio recording of the poem, read by me:
Read our poems here: