TWO weeks ago, dusk was already approaching when Tempo arrived at the house of Sapardi Djoko Damono, located in the faculty housing complex of the University of Indonesia in Cirendeu, Ciputat. The white house is only a stone’s throw from the Situ Gintung dam.

Simple furniture adorned the house, emphasizing Sapardi’s modest character with all his simple lyrical poetry. There was no extravagant, large furniture around. Only a set of worn guest