A FIGHTER'S LINES

A Fighter's Lines by Marzuki Ali

I am old and worn

and have lost all my strength

sufferings

and the history of the fight for independence

have forced sacrifices

that know no name

or life

from the wheelchair of the rest of my days

I, body and energy crushed

see and cannot do much

these times are too big a challenge

for the remnants of my crippled years

the net of deceit spread everywhere

disturbs me

In the name of justice

Wake up and form ranks sons of our ancestor

Be brave

And erect a wall of people

Stand up heirs of our freedom

I have no more voice

It is you now who should speak!

GLOSSARY

• Worn /w    rn/ : the past participle of wear.
• Independence /   nd    pend   ns/ : political freedom from control by the government of another country.
• Remnants /remn   nts/ : a small parts of something that remains after the rest of it has been used.
• Crippled / kr  p  lt /: who is unable to walk properly because their legs are damaged or injured.
• Deceit / d  s   t/ : behavior that is intended to make someone believe something  that is not true.
• Erect /   rekt/ : in a straight upright position.
• Heirs /er/ : the person who has the legal right to receive the property or title of another person when they die.