The Face Thief

Yusuf Achmad

Childhood

At six or seven years old, the Thief placed a finger on his lips,
“Don’t make a sound,” he whispered, as his other hand slipped,
Into the money on the edge of the ice seller’s table, busy serving,
In front of the cinema, showing “Chor,” about a foolish lover deserving.
If I were a movie star, I’d handcuff and imprison “Chor,”
But I’m just a child, trapped in a dream, far too immature.

That thief’s face, a shadow in the night,
Haunts my small steps in a world full of fright.

Adolescence

In my teenage years, my heart was stolen, without much ado,
By my friend’s crush, I willingly let it be borrowed, it’s true.
“Tell her I like her,” though I only pretend,
So my friend could win the heart of his longed-for girlfriend.

My heart was lost, stolen by another, my playful childhood friend,
As I left my teenage years, my heart was once again pinned,
By a noble-hearted, intelligent, decisive, beautiful, and wise thief,
My friend brought us together, I didn’t mind the brief.

While my childhood crush’s face still held power,
That face too faded, replaced by another thief’s shower.
Like ever-changing shadows, my heart never settled,
In the game of love, I was just a pawn, disheveled.

Adulthood

As dusk approached, the face I revered and cherished,
Became a drop of knowledge, a nourishment never perished.
I studied, read sacred texts,
My teacher’s face turned into numbers, not just a million, but in excess.

My teacher’s face now dark, covered by corrupted land’s claim,
In the name of religion, he transformed into a cunning and greedy flame.
Knowledge once pure, now tainted by ambition’s blight,
In power’s shadow, my teacher’s face vanished into the night.

Old Age

Now as I grow older, the word thief sounds mundane,
Money, land, even life, they steal in vain.
There’s no point in taking just one or two,
Even if they take it all, I’d still find joy anew.

For everything is His, who gives it all worth,
In the darkness of the night, I speak to your face’s mirth.
I steal back from those thieves once so bold,
Courage to endure, to love, to be bold.

Your face, never fading, is my eternal source,
In every step, in every breath,
I rediscover your face, my everlasting strength.

Surabaya, 16-12-2023