Because if you don't,
they will call us.
They will find us.
And they will do far worse
than name us.
They will do far worse
than shame us.
Kifoi bos ngka konfiah?
You, and all the world that fancies themselves
academics.
If you really want to know
the sabia di jenti;
the science of the people---
you should know the first rule of any culture,
any place,
any face that truly knows fear:
nus santah kaladu.
Nus ngka falah nada.
It has been done before.
Asih nang falah.
Don't do it.
Don't say it.
Stop writing this poem.
Kevin Martens Wong,
you might be Kabesa,
you might be Mestri,
you might be Omimerliang,
but if you know what's good for you,
don't you dare say a word.
Yes, the same messages
you received since 2005.
Don't stand out.
Don't be gay.
Don't look for beauty
where there is none to be found.
It is a lie.
A mirage.
Yes, a future;
such a bright and beautiful future.
It has been seen before.
Perhaps you were not born yet;
no, you were not born yet.
You did not see
what almost came after.
So don't be what you were born to be.
We tried that before.
And look what it almost got us.
Still can't see it?
Don't be silly.
Look at me, Kevin:
and look at you.
Are you really all the worse off
for all that we have compartmentalised
all that we have compromised
on?
Parts of this poem
have been elided.
Parts of this face
have been eroded.
Parts of this place
have been divided.
Parts of this story
have never inspired.
You say it will be ok, Merlionsman.
You say you have revitalised a language;
you say you have sorted out the psyche.
You say it will be different this time.
We believe you.
But that's what we said
to ourselves not so very long ago.
Pra ubih bong-bong,
to really hear what we are saying to you,
just listen to us.
Desah bos ubih kung nus:
santah kaladu, omimerliang.
santah kaladu, tigrisoneru.
santah kaladu, krensa giliang.
Because if you don't,
they will do far worse to us
then just ask us to sit quietly.
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