The Conch [For survivors of Suharto's dictatorship]

I spent fifteen years in a single cell
The cold could be predicted, food not so
My body languished, my spirit fed well.

I shivered with the ghosts of those who fell
Two tiny holes let in a concrete glow
I spent fifteen years in a single cell.

My beliefs and principles, my molluscous morale
Would have met a bullet had they known
My body languished, my spirit fed well.

I often told my gut to go to hell
I danced with sanity, not letting go
We spent fifteen years in a single cell.

Meanwhile economic saviours tolled the bell
From my stench history turned its nose
My body languished, my spirit fed well.

The mollusc survived its damaged shell
Entirely undiscovered by my foe
I spent fifteen years in a single cell
My body languished, my spirit fed well.

Susan Austin

From Green Left Weekly, November 3, 2004.

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From GLW issue 605