Listen there’s a baby howling in the neighbour’s house
His voice is strong, his crying plaintive
The moment he’s delivered into the hands of the midwife
Before blood and placenta have even congealed
He’s already weighed down with a debt signed and sealed
Of ten million rupiah
If he turns out to be a farmer in the country
He’ll be subsidizing rice prices for those in the city
If he turns out to be a denizen of the city
He’ll be subsidizing the business of bloated captains of industry
If he pays taxes
That tax will likely turn into bullets sharp and slicing
To be aimed at the base of his aorta and sent hissing
Try advising this baby; throw in some ‘upgrading’
But before your mouth is done with speaking
You’ll know for sure you’re the target of his peeing.
1998
