Like our Fatherland

My Love!
like our fatherland
our love is free and unrestrained
to embrace boundless happiness

your face lit up
when the glorious stripes
were raised
and the flag of the colonizers lowered

when you changed your mind
and gave into my love
it was like rain
moistening the parched earth

at times we dont see eye to eye
but in our hearts we meet
beautiful emotions flow like raging river
to cool us down!

the heart is a pool
whose waters are muddied
when the rocks of separation are thrown

but we ourselves
have thrown them...
these rocks of emotions, into our pool of love
the soul is stirred

the country develops, productivity grows
through the sweat of its people

I too am like that
your face is always on my mind
therefore... I sing praises to you

we are the model
for all nations of the world
the unity of three races
is proof

likewise
our pure love
stands as an example for all lovers

the people are proud
of their leaders that care for the people
and lead the way to goodness

our love is proud
not because of a Taj Mahal
standing haughtily
but because our two hearts are always one
as long as they are alive

my love!
like our fatherland
our love is free and unrestrained
to embrace boundles happiness

come!
together, let us raise our flag and celebrate!

N. Patchaibalan

(Translated into Malay by Dr.Gana)
(Translated into English by Tanja Jonid)

Voices of Malaysian Poets - An Anthology of Malaysian Poetry
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur, 2009