Maya Poem by Latiff Mohidin

year after year
i carry your name
maya
from village to village
i carry it like a new wound
on my brow
maya
from city to city

at times
it opens suddenly
most times it does not stir
at times
when i say your name
maya
blood flows
all over my face

blood flows
all over my face

vientienne oct 1968

Translated from Malay by Eddin Khoo