推 hahastarr: 10/04 10:45
The Rest of the Story
--Dian Titus (1972-), translated by Thomas Lo
TKW* ... Women Migrant Workers
Before I have been a TKW and lived my life
I often heard neighbors’ gossips and news saying that
TKW are sold as female entertainers
TKW ... these three letters are often viewed with suspicion
And irritating to common people’s ears
After I became a Women Migrant Worker
I went to drill camp and got various trainings
I knew very well what common people think
And I heard unpleasant whispers
But ... still I talked to them politely
Once people know, they may change their views
Even though I was often ignored and treated indifferently
After I came home from abroad
When I applied for SKKB** from the police station
A police asked me, “Ever worked abroad?”
Once he knew I have worked abroad
He offered me cigarettes and asked for a match
tried to flirt with me, and looked at me from head to toes
But ... I replied with courtesy and patience
Sorry sir ... I neither smoke nor have any match
Eww ... the police even smiled cheekily and pinched my cheek
It made me lose all the dignity and patience in my heart
Sorry sir ...
“There are many TKW who can keep their faith”
Even though, indeed, certain ex-overseas-goers are smoking and selling
themselves
(The Second Finalist of the Fourth Taipei Foreign Worker’s Poetry
Competition, 2004)
*TKW (Tenaga Kerja Wanita): Women Migrant Workers
**SKKB (Surat Keterangan Kelakuan Baik): Certificate of Good Conduct
Cerita Yang Tersisa
-- Dian Titus (1972- )
TKW…Tenaga Kerja Wanita
Kala aku belum jadi TKW dan menjalaninya
Sering dengar kata tetangga dan berita
TKW dijual dijadikan wanita penghibur kata mereka
TKW…tiga huruf kadang dipandang sebelah mata
Dan awampun mendengar sumbang di telinga
Saat kuingin jadi tenaga kerja wanita
Kujalani hidup di penampungan dan berbagai latihan kerja
Sangat kurasa bagaimana awam memandangnya
Bisik-bisik suara tak enak di telinga
Namun…aku tetap sopan menyapa mereka
Siapa tahu dapat mengubah pandangan mereka
Walau kadang acuh dan tak digubrisnya
Setelah aku pulang dari luar negeri
Saat kucari SKKB datang dari kantor polisi
Polisi bertanya, “Pernah kerja di luar negeri?”
Tahu aku pernah kerja ke luar negeri
Dia tawarkan rokok dan pinjam korek api
Bicara sambil main mata, memandang dari kepala sampai kaki
Tapi…aku jawab dengan sopan dan menyabarkan diri
Maaf pak…saya tak merokok juga tak ada korek api
Ech…polisi malah tersenyum genit sambil mencolek pipi
Hilang hormat dan sabar di dada ini
Maaf pak…
“Masih banyak TKW yang bisa jaga din”
Memangnya ex luar negeri pasti merokok dan jual diri
Tony Thamsir, ed., Taipei, Listen to Me Again! The Selected Works of the
Fourth Foreign Worker’s Poetry Competition, Taipei, The Department of Labor
of Taipei City Government, 2004, pp.111-114.
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