The Frog of Nyamplungan World

Yusuf Achmad

I am a frog from the clay of Nyamplungan,
Playing with dogs, wolves, and pigs without burden.
Unmoved by human whispers of impurity and the forbidden,
My friends: a patchwork dog, a wooden wolf, and a sunken pig.

Together we roam, exploring the imaginative domain,
Would you listen to me? Would you understand my refrain?
Would you befriend me, even just in passing words?
I’ve seen the world’s rarest dog, and wolves, and pigs adorned with gems.

I see them as loyal friends, full of affection,
Yet you label them filthy and unworthy without hesitation.
Dogs, wolves, and pigs—outlawed beings in Nyamplungan,
I leap and speak with heartfelt hope under the sun.

“Why do you shun my friends? Are they not just as pure?
A prostitute earned paradise, quenching a dog’s thirst, her intentions sure.”
Would you care to hear my words beyond this thought?
Yes, I love these playful companions with an open heart.

For I am a frog who loves them sincerely,
In a boundless world, free from complexities dreary.
In the vast expanse, I ponder with an open soul,
Nurturing love and friendship, ignoring the world’s flawed role.

Surabaya, 18-4-2024