Good Morning from Minangkabau*
By Leni Marlina*
Good morning, wide world, from Minangkabau's land in West Sumatra,
We rise together, with a new spirit,
Under the blue sky and the green expanse of rice fields,
We stand tall, with hope that never wilts.
We are the children of Minang, from a land full of stories,
Where mountains tower, and rivers flow beautifully,
Our nature is a magnificent painting of God,
Yet often tested by disasters that stir.
Here, earthquakes and floods are not unfamiliar,
But our hearts are as strong as resilient rocks,
With mutual cooperation, together we endure, rise, and unite,
Facing the day with smiles and pure determination.
From the golden fields to the majestic peak of Merapi,
We nurture this land with love and sincere prayers,
Every step is a struggle, every day is a blessing,
In the land of Minangkabau, where love and perseverance intertwine.
Good morning, wide world, from us who are humble,
Here in the land of Minang, we welcome you warmly,
Come and see, the extraordinary beauty,
Though often struck by disasters, our spirit never breaks.
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*It was written firstly in Leni Marlina's private poem collection in 2010 in Padang, West Sumatra.
**She is a lecturer at FBS UNP Padang, the member of the writers association of SatuPena, West Sumatra, Indonesia & Victoria Writers, Australia.