Chairil Anwar (1922-1949) is one outstanding poet of all time, who is the right figure to mirror and to define phrase “Bagimu Negeri”. At some point, I do not think that anyone does better to make the nation earn freedom through literature as hard as what he did at his era. His soul and mind were always dived deep in the ocean of literature. He even forgot to take care of him self as he cared very much for literature. He died in 28 April 1949 at the age of 26 and this death day was marked as National Poetry Day in Indonesia.

Chairil Anwar’s poems are not easily to be understood at one time read, unless your a personal one, because they are highly poetic. We have to look deeper and take them into its year and situation that influenced every line. Moreover, his poems also have sophisticated rhymes. Yet, not all are according to ‘rules’ that were traditionally agreed at that time, which I think, this is what makes his poems are very richer and lighter, than others.

“Aku Ini Binatang Jalang” is one life-time poem that is loved and discussed time-to-time. “Aku Ini Binatang Jalang” is a line taken from his most phenomenal poem that has two version-“Aku” from Deru Campur Debu (DCD 1943) version, and “Semangat” from Kerikil Tajam (KT 1943) version. Which one of these two is the original version? I have not find any reference yet that states exactly which one, but what certain is it still debatable to the date. However, the “Aku” (DCD 1943) version is more popular than “Semangat” (KT 1943) version. This is because, in my humble opinion, “Aku” is stronger in title and verse (ID: sajak). It also shows how he deeper and authentic he knew he himself whom he wanted to express. Or let say in short his powerful individuality.

Two poems that I love the most from this book, other than “Aku”, “Diponegoro and “Karawang-Bekasi” are:

TAK SEPADAN – CHAIRIL ANWAR

Aku kira:
Beginilah nanti jadinya
Kau kawin, beranak dan berbahagia
Sedang aku mengembara serupa Ahasveros

Dikutuk-sumpahi Eros
Aku merangkaki dinding buta
Tak satu juga pintu terbuka

Jadi baik juga kita padami
Unggunan api ini
Karena kau tidak ‘kan apa-apa
Aku terpanggang tinggal rangka

-Februari 1943-

And the other is:

CERITA BUAT DIEN TAMAELA – CHAIRIL ANWAR

Beta Pattiradjawane
Yang dijaga datu-datu
Cuma satu.

Beta Pattiradjawane
Kikisan laut
Berdarah laut.

Beta Pattiradjawane
Ketika lahir dibawakan
Datu dayung sampan.

Beta pattiradjawane, menjaga hutan pala.
Beta api di pantai. Siapa mendekat
Tiga kali menyebut beta punya nama.

Dalam sunyi malam ganggang menari
Menurut beta punya tifa,
Pohon pala, badan perawan jadi
Hidup sampai pagi tiba.

Mari menari!
mari beria!
mari berlupa!

Awas jangan bikin beta marah
Beta bikin pala mati, gadis kaku
beta kurim datu-datu!

Beta ada di malam, ada di siang
Irama ganggang dan api membakar pulau…

Beta Pattiradjawane
Yang dijaga datu-datu
Cuma satu.

-1946-