International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 147

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
These two lines are repeated a number of times through the poem, inferring that different
forms of evil chasing each other repeatedly.
The line,
‘Marrying me would only spoil your chances’

(Ibid.)

is made as though commitment would be a step too far, for his livelihood is unpredictable,
‘as a pickpocket my fate is chancy’

(Ibid.)

Both characters, a pickpocket and a mistress, live on the edge. Their lives are fraught with
the vicissitudes of fate, they have so little control over their lives. His imagery becomes
disturbingly visual, as in the line,
‘The sun vomits painfully into the sea’

(Ibid.)

Realities of life cannot be ignored and ‘love is only of secondary importance (Ibid.p.37). The
nation must think of its future, its children. All must be done to ensure their lives are better
than those of the current generation opposing tyranny. Rendra faces the reality of the depth
of corruption in his country.
‘Start cheating your man right away
Siphon off what he owns
To make your own life easier’ (Ibid. p. 37)
And, again in the lines,
‘He enjoys being bribed and corrupting others
Cheat him in exchange
That’s how it’s done
Thieves cheat thieves, that’s usual’ (Ibid.)
Trust and honour are easily smeared away:
‘Among thieves honour is like lipstick’

(Ibid.)

He instructs that ‘cunning above all,’ ‘courage,’ ‘perseverance’ and ‘resoluteness’ (Ibid.) are
the virtues which must be adopted so that
‘The little people can’t stay beaten for ever’

(Ibid.)

Rendra’s cynicism of the ruling elite is most evident in this vituperate poem.
‘Strive to meet a minister
and to be his mistress……’

(Ibid.)

‘as long as you are vigorous and your breasts firm
This always attracts them
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