Latiff Mohidin: Maya

year after year
i bear you name
                      maya
from village to village
i bear it like a fresh wound
on my brow
                      maya
from city to city

at times
it suddenly tears open
                      at other times it does not stir
at times
when i call your name
                      maya

blood flows
upon my face

(translated from the Malay by Eddin Khoo)