By John RC Potter

Schadenfreude

By John RC Potter
Definition: “Finding joy in someone’s misfortune”

This is a German word,
it holds a rhythmic resonance.
It has a pleasing sound,
yet points to a type of penance.

They meant me no lasting harm,
I believe this to be true.
The only damage they did,
it is clear, was to themselves.

There are those who find much joy
in the downfall of others.
Those who smile so knowingly
at someone’s deep misfortune.

Then I saw that red sunset,
burning bright in a photo:
it brought back such memories
of loves first found and then lost.

Sonnenuntergang! Sunset!

I love words in German,
they hold such an appeal for me.
A language of such strength:
But like a lock without a key.

Sometimes

By John RC Potter (author & translator)

Sometimes,
I miss you.
I can’t forget you.
You’re not far away
because I can never forget Indonesia.
I remember one day
we went to a mountain.
This mountain is too high,
you said to me.
You can’t climb;
foreigners can’t do it,
turn around, go back!
But we walked there,
to the top of the mountain.
Me and you, together.
At the top, you took my hand;
we looked at West Java below us.
Later I thought about your words:
the mountain that I had to climb that day was you.
But I still miss you…always.

Kadang-Kadang

(Bahasa Indonesia)
By John RC Potter (author & translator)

Kadang-kadang,
saya rindu kamu.
Saya tidah bisa lupa kamu.
kamu tidah jauh
karena saya tidah bisa pernah lupa indonesia.
Saya ingat satu hari
kami ke satu gunung.
Gunung ini terlalu tinggi,
kamu berkata kepada saya.
kamu tidak bisa memanjat;
buleh-buleh tidah bisa,
berbalik, kembali!
Tapi kami jalan-jalan disana
ke puncak gunung.
Saya dan kamu, bersama.
Di atas kamu meraih tangan saya;
kami melihat Jawa Barat di bawah kami.
Nanti kemudian saya memikirkan kata-kata kamu:
gunung yang harus aku daki hari itu dulu adalah kamu.
Tetapi saya masih rindu kamu…selalu.

Sunday

Translated by John RC Potter

I miss you every day.
I remember you every day.
I hold my pillow close every night.
In the morning, at night,
from night until morning.
Every day passes; I can wait for you,
but Sunday is the hardest day.
You always live in my heart…
from the past years, so long ago…
Now, right now,
in the future, after dying…
You…
I love you…
I miss you…
Come home…
There is a light by the window.

Pazar Günü

(Turkish)
By John RC Potter (author & translator)

Her gün seni özlüyorum.
Her gün seni hatırlıyorum.
Her gece yastığımı yakın tutuyorum.
Sabahleyin, geceleyin,
geceden sabaha kadar.
Her gün geçer; seni bekleyebilirim,
ama Pazar günü en zor bir gün.
Her zaman kalbımında yaşıyorsun…
geçen yıllardan, çok öncesinden…
şimdi, şu anda,
gelecekte, ölmekten sonra…
Seni…
Seni seviyorum…
Seni özlüyorum…
Eve gel…
Cam kenarında bir ışık var.