The Importance of Poetry for Our Deepest Life
An Essay by Flarisa Desilia
[PPIPM-Indonesia & Poetry-Pen International Community, Poetry-BLaD & IOSoP 2025]
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In a world that often moves too quickly, poetry stands as a reminder of our deepest emotions and inner lives. Many might think poetry has become less relevant, yet it continues to capture what lies beneath the surface of human existence—our pain, dreams, and memories. Poetry connects us to ourselves and to one another across time and distance, proving that no matter how much the world changes, the need to express our inner experiences remains vital. In this essay, I will explore the importance of poetry in touching the deepest parts of human life, as reflected in three poems by Leni Marlina: “Our Ancestral Land” (2013), “Time Ages Upon My Mother’s Body” (2004), and “Searching for Mother” (2004).
The first poem, “Our Ancestral Land” (2013), powerfully reminds us that humanity’s bond with nature is not just history—it is identity. Through haunting images like “scratching fate in rain ink” and “rivers covering the mirrors that once reflected our faces,” Marlina shows that nature once held our memories, hopes, and very sense of self. Today, as the land falls silent under the weight of our neglect, we are not just losing forests and rivers—we are losing pieces of who we are. This poem urges us to awaken and reconnect with the earth before the silence becomes permanent. Healing our relationship with nature is not only about saving the environment; it is about saving ourselves. We must listen to the echoes of our ancestral land and act before it is too late.
Image source: Poetry-BLaD & IOSoP 2025 Committee.
The second poem, “Time Ages Upon My Mother’s Body” (2004), persuasively asserts that while time can weigh down the body, it cannot touch the spirit. The poem tenderly describes how age leaves its marks—etching the skin and burdening the back—yet Marlina emphasizes that within, her mother remains “untouched, younger than sorrow.” Through this portrayal, she argues that true beauty and vitality are not diminished by physical aging. In a society often obsessed with youth and appearance, Marlina’s poem stands as a powerful reminder that the soul’s strength and love endure far beyond time’s reach. We are called to recognize and honor the lasting beauty that resides within those we love, rather than be deceived by the outer changes brought by time.
The final poem, “Searching for Mother” (2004), reminds us that love and memory can guide us even in the darkest times. Through the image of a mother as a “lantern leading me home,” the poem shows that even when the world feels empty and dim, the memory of love continues to light our way. Marlina persuades us to hold tightly to the people and memories that anchor us because they give us hope and direction when everything else fades.
In conclusion, Leni Marlina’s poetry reveals that poetry embodies truth, emotion, and the shared human experience. Her work serves as a testament to love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds we forge with those we cherish, especially our mothers. Through her evocative verses, Marlina invites us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the essence of what matters most amid the chaos of contemporary life. In a world often overshadowed by distraction, her work stands as a gentle yet powerful reminder: we are all connected, and it is our stories and relationships that truly define us.
Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2025
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References:
Marlina, Leni (2013). “Our Ancestral Land.” The Selected Poetry Collection in Media suaraanaknegerinews.com. First digital publication: March 26, 2025. [Accessed April 2025].
Link: https://suaraanaknegerinews.com/our-ancestral-land-poems-collection-by-leni-marlina-ppipm-indonesia-poetry-pen-ic-indonesian-writer-of-satu-pena-indonesian-creator-of-ai-era-fsm-acc-shila/
Marlina, Leni (2004). “Time Ages Upon My Mother’s Body.” The Selected Poetry Collection in Media suaraanaknegerinews.com. First digital publication: February 15, 2025. [Accessed April 2025].
Link: https://suaraanaknegerinews.com/time-ages-upon-my-mothers-body-a-poetry-collection-by-leni-marlina-ppipm-indonesia-poetry-pen-ic-indonesian-writer-of-satu-pena-sumbar-indonesian-creator-of-ai-era-fsm-acc-shila/
Marlina, Leni (2004). “Searching for Mother.” The Selected Poetry Collection in Media suaraanaknegerinews.com. First digital publication: February 15, 2025. [Accessed April 2025].
Link: https://suaraanaknegerinews.com/time-ages-upon-my-mothers-body-a-poetry-collection-by-leni-marlina-ppipm-indonesia-poetry-pen
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About the Writer:
Flarisa Desilia was born in Lubuklinggau in 2006. She is currently a student at the English Language and Literature Department, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. She graduated from SMAN 1 Lubuklinggau in 2024. Flarisa is actively involved in several literary communities, including PPIPM-Indonesia (Poetry Community of Indonesian Society’s Inspiration), Poetry-Pen International Community (PPIC), Littalk-C (Literary Talk Community), and EL4C (English Language Learning, Literary, and Literacy Community).
Flarisa’s presentation video from the event is publicly accessible via the following official link:
