/1/
A Bunch of Longing for Health
Poem by Leni Marlina
[Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspirations: PPIPM – Indonesia, Poetry-Pen IC, Indonesian Writer Satu Pena, Indonesian Creator of AI Era, FSM, ACC SHILA]
<1>
In the throne of the pale morning,
I see and hear the whispers of health,
between the cracks of the air,
like a bird that once perched
on the branches of my body—
now it flies, far away,
carrying longing.
Health, you were once a guest I ignored,
your presence like air,
invisible but gripping the world.
Now I am a feeble wind,
struggling to follow you through the valley of time,
yet my steps become distance,
and distance becomes hope
that flutters without wings.
<2>
My body is silent,
like a poem without words,
like a prayer fallen among the beads.
I count my heartbeat
as I await a bell that never rings,
measuring pain in a cup of longing,
but it is never full—
always spilling over with tears.
Health,
you are like a bundle of light
that transforms night into morning,
you become an inaudible mantra,
yet you breathe life into this silence.
Take me in your embrace once more,
let this breath taste the new air,
and unite with a life as healthy as before.
<3>
I send this longing to you,
a bundle that cannot be measured,
a strand that cannot be broken.
And if you return,
I will offer this body in gratitude,
like earth that cracks open after rain,
like a soul finding its home
under the stars of night.
Health,
if you are a promise,
then I am a sailor without a port,
waiting for you in an unnamed ocean,
with hope that turns into prayer,
and longing that breathes life into drops of blood and desire.
Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2019
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*The original title of the poem in Indonesian language is
“Seikat Rindu Untuk Sehat”
/2/
Health Oh Health
Poem by Leni Marlina
[Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspirations: PPIPM – Indonesia, Poetry-Pen IC, Writer of Satu Pena West Sumatra, Indonesian Creator of AI Era, FSM, ACC SHILA]
<1>
The white sky that hangs above you,
like an unseen abyss,
on the journey of time,
your body stands,
becoming a witness to the gasping breath,
lungs moving like a train on broken tracks,
creaking through the air,
then vanishing around a silent bend.
The infusion drips, nearing the final moments,
the rhythm of time split in fragments of tears.
Is health merely a dream?
Or ghosts peeking at the door,
coming too late,
leaving without a trace?
Here, the iron bed is like a broken compass,
turning in uncertain directions—
pleasure seems not to be here,
not from the tiny needle that pierces unnoticed,
sliding in, vanishing without a sign.
<2>
Prayers hang from the silent ceiling,
forgetting the way home.
The body bows,
breath weaving time,
like shadows chasing the seconds,
love for health forgotten,
love for life only a whisper creeping
in the empty space,
the body and soul will never lie,
when the time comes, you must be helped.
Health, oh health,
you are what I yearn for,
your loss today teaches me again to be thankful,
for all the blessings bestowed by the Divine,
here,
the fire of spirit to heal has not yet extinguished.
Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2019
——————————
*The original title of the poem in Indonesian language is “Sehat Oh Sehat”.
/2/
The White Bed
Poem by Leni Marlina
[Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspirations: PPIPM – Indonesia, Poetry-Pen IC, Writer of Satu Pena West Sumatra, Indonesian Creator of AI Era, FSM, ACC SHILA]
Friend,
that white bed is not merely a prison,
it is a small boat that carries you,
across the ocean of pain, toward the shore of healing.
Those dressed in white with hearts of purity,
adjust the sails, steady the oars,
ensuring the wind favors you.
You are not alone, friend,
the morning light accompanies the medicine entering your body,
our prayers follow the drops of your infusion,
we believe in your body,
in the power concealed within it,
entrusted to you by God.
Friend,
do not surrender to the small waves in the white room,
do not imprison your hope for health,
beyond there,
a dock of the future waits for you,
a land of life you must cross with time.
Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2019
——————————
*The original title of the poem in Indonesian language is “Ranjang Putih”.
/4/
The Whisper of the Soul to the Body
Poem by Leni Marlina
[Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspirations: PPIPM – Indonesia, Poetry-Pen IC, Writer of Satu Pena West Sumatra, Indonesian Creator of AI Era, FSM, ACC SHILA]
I am your body,
and I speak through pain and silence,
I do not oppose you,
I only ask for time
to heal this pain and wound.
Help me with the smile you offer,
with the hope you plant.
I will repay you,
with a heart that beats stronger,
with lungs that break the air longer.
Listen, I sing for you,
a song of resurrection,
a rhythm of healing.
Listen, I pray for you,
a prayer of patience and recovery.
Do not give up—
I am your companion, never weary,
I wait for you,
do not surrender,
my forsaken body –
my beloved body,
we will be healthy –
we will return home.
Come, rise, my dear friend!
Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2019
—————————————
*The original title of the poem in Indonesian language is
“Bisikan Jiwa Kepada Tubuh”
/5/
Come, rise, my dear friend!
Poem by Leni Marlina
[Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspirations: PPIPM – Indonesia, Poetry-Pen IC, Writer of Satu Pena West Sumatra, Indonesian Creator of AI Era, FSM, ACC SHILA]
From the future,
I call you, my body:
“Come, rise from that bed! I await you.
I am the days full of color,
where your steps are free,
and your laughter cleaves the air.”
Do not let this pain extinguish your life’s light,
for you are greater than this wound and pain.
Rise from the ruins of your joy,
rebuild the palace of your hope.
I have prepared space
for your deferred dreams,
for the happiness you have not yet felt.
Come, let us meet—
in the future,
there, you and I,
will reconcile with health in the body,
Come, rise, my dear friend!
Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2019
————————————–
*The original title of the poem in Indonesian languange is
“Bangkitlah dari Ranjang itu!”
The collection of poems above was originally written by Leni Marlina in 2019, later revised, and first published digitally in 2025.
Leni Marlina is a celebrated Indonesian poet, writer, and educator whose works explore themes of resilience, healing, and cultural identity. A distinguished member of the literary world, she is affiliated with Indonesian Writer SATU PENA, Indonesian Creator of AI Era, and the Forum Siti Manggopoh (FSM). Internationally, she is an active member of the ACC Shanghai Huifeng International Literary Association (ACC SHILA), serving as Indonesia’s Poetry Ambassador, and has contributed to the Victoria Writers Association in Australia.
Since 2006, Leni has been a dedicated lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), Indonesia. In addition to her academic career, she has also contributed as a columnist and journalist, enriching public discourse with her insights.
Leni’s passion for literature extends beyond her own writing. She has founded and leads several impactful communities and initiatives that focus on language, literature, literacy, and social empowerment. These include:
1. World Children’s Literature Community (WCLC): https://shorturl.at/acFv1
2. Poetry-Pen International Community
3. PPIPM (Pondok Puisi Inspirasi Masyarakat), the Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspirations: https://shorturl.at/2eTSB; https://shorturl.at/tHjRI
4. Starcom Indonesia Community (Starmoonsun Edupreneur Community Indonesia):
https://rb.gy/5c1b02
5. Linguistic Talk Community
6. Literature Talk Community
7. Translation Practice Community
8. English Languange Learning, Literacy, Literary Community (EL4C)
Leni Marlina’s work exemplifies a profound commitment to fostering creativity, education, cultural exchange, and social advocacy. Her poetry serves as a bridge between personal reflection and universal themes, giving her influential voice in contemporary literature.
