The Struggle of Small Traders

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Thursday, November 28th 2024

 

The Struggle of Small Traders

A Poem by Jesica Imelda Pasaribu

Upon the muddy and narrow street

An old woman lingers, peddling her wares

Patiently awaiting the arrival of buyers

While carrying an old cart that cannot be replaced

With fervent spirit, she sells her goods

Sweat dripping and determined

Unafraid of fatigue, undeterred by despair

Striving to earn a livelihood for her kin

Oh, the small traders

They strive from noon till late at night

Under the hot sun to the stormy rain

To get a few coins for a bite of rice

Oh, how extraordinary their struggles are

The struggle of the humble small traders

Striving with their bare hands and weary feet

Waiting for small, uncertain profits

But they always strive, tirelessly and hopefully

Lifting prayers from the depths of their souls

Better to be an honest trader than to idle

Or feed on money that is not rightfully theirs

Padang, November 28th 2024

Author's Short Biography 

Author's Photo: Jesica Imelda Pasaribu

Jesica Imelda Pasaribu is a student in the English Literature program at the Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang. She is one of the writers on Kompasiana (https://www.kompasiana.com/jesicaimelda28) and the owner of the business "Illustration by J" (Instagram: @ilustration.by_j). She has a particular interest in reading and writing. In addition, Jesica is also a member of PPIPM (Pondok Puisi Inspirasi Masyarakat), a community focused on developing poetry and literacy in Indonesia. She is also part of the Poetry-Pen International Community. 

The poem "The Struggle of Small Traders" is an original work written by Jesica Imelda Pasaribu, inspired by Leni Marlina's poem titled "Di Tengah Jalan" (the second poem in the collection "Di Bawah Jantung Baja Kota"). Leni Marlina's poem has been published on the Suara Anak Negeri website (can be accessed at this link: https://suaraanaknegerinews.com/kumpulan-puisi-leni-marlina-padang-di-bawah-jantung-baja-kota/). To find out more about Jesica's activities, feel free to follow her Instagram account at @jesicaimelda_