Malay Poems/Riddles

[north_malaysian]

Dari Jawa ke Bengkahulu
Membeli keris di Inderagiri
Kawan ketawa ramai selalu
Kawan menangis seorang diri

From Java to Bencoolen
Buying a "keris" (Malay dagger) at Inderagiri
There are always lots of laughing friends
But a crying friend? you are alone..

 

[north_malaysian]

Ribu-ribu pokok mengkudu
Cincin permata jatuh ke ruang
Kalau rindu sebut namaku
Airmata mu jangan dibuang

Thousands of "Mengkudu" trees
A jewel ring fall on the ground
If you missed me, just call my name
But never waste your tears on me

 

[north_malaysian]

Dari mana hendak ke mana
Tinggi rumput dari padi
Hari mana bulan ke mana
Dapat kita berjumpa lagi

From where, to where?
The grasses are higher than the paddy
When is the month, when is the day?
That we would be able to meet again

 

[north_malaysian]

Ayam rintik di tepi hutan
Nampak dari tepi telaga
Nama yang baik jadi ingatan
Seribu tahun terkenang juga

A chicken by the forest
Could be seen from the side of the well
A good name could be remembered
Would be remembered for a thousand years

 

[north_malaysian]

Kain batik negeri seberang
Dipakai anak Tanah Melayu
Apa ertinya kasih dan sayang
Kalaulah abang berjanji palsu

A batik cloth from the oversea
Being worn by a Malayan girl
What is the meaning of love and care
If your promises are all lies

 

[north_malaysian]

Burung serindit terbang melayang
Turun ke tanah memakan padi
Bukan ringgit dipandang orang
Tapi pandang bahasa dan budi

A "serindit" bird flies in the sky
and down to the grown to feed on the paddy
It's not the money that people are looking for
But they will look at your language and good deeds

 

[Muslim Knight]

lol. I wouldn't dream of translating a poem.

 

[north_malaysian]

lol. I wouldn't dream of translating a poem.

Actually, I dont really know whether I translated those riddles accurately kay:

Classical Malay is too hard ... to understand....

Should I put the "Pecah Kaca, Pecah Tong, Lepas Baca, Harap Gantung" too