Tok Pisin translation by Michael Dom
Nogat toktok, peren, bai kirapim ol lain indai
Nogat tingting yumi autim na wara lusim ai
Bai kisim bek ken husat i lus na tekewe pen
Yumi sindaun mauspas tasol na putim iau long ren
Toktok bilong mi sotwin, peren, pen emi wankain
Wanem stori inogat nek bai mi salim ikam
Taim narapela toktok inogat strong bilong en
Nogat tingting na aiwara, God emi salim ren
Em toktok bilong God, peren
Long laip yumi hatwok igo inap pinis b’long en
Hamamas, sore na wanbel i holim han wantaim
Painim gutpela – noken abrusim pen bilong em
Dispela save trutru ikam, wankain olsem ren,
Bai yumi mas pilim pen pastaim na bihain lainim
Em laikim bilong God, peren.
A rondeau for Dollorose Fong Roka
Original poem in English by Michael Dom
No words, my friend, bring back the dead
No thoughts conveyed, nor tears we shed
Take back the loss nor ease the pain
We sit in silence and hear the rain
Not words, my friend, we feel the same
What mute verse can I send instead
When consoling words are in vain
Not thoughts, not tears, God sends us rain
His words, my friend
In life we struggle to our end
Joy, grief and peace come hand-in-hand
Seek hope – do not avoid sweet pain
For this wisdom comes, like the rain,
That after grief we understand
God’s love, my friend.
Created on 9 October 2015, 07:30AM at Labu Station for the passing of the baby daughter of my writing colleague Leonard Fong Roka.
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