One Poem, 1,000 Numbers

Despite his declining popularity, the public still feels that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is the best choice to lead the country. The harsh criticisms directed at him and Jusuf Kalla went unheeded by respondents. This is a dismal portrait of Indonesian politics, where image is considered more important than performance, and the political stage still belongs to the same old leaders.

October 30, 2007

FOR the moment, let us forget about Soebagio Sastrowardojo. Just for now, let us believe that “a thousand scientific formulas full of promises” is just as important as “a single poem.” In 1961, this poet wrote an oft-quoted poem, Manusia Pertama di Angkasa Luar (The First Man in Outer Space). He wrote: “Give me one word of poetry / over a thousand scientific formulas full of promises / which cast me further above this earth which I adore.

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