Traditional Poetry
Gurindam
Traditional Malay Poetry
According to Wikipedia:
Gurindam is a type of irregular verse forms of traditional Malay poetry.
It is a combination of two clauses where the relative clause forms a line and is thus linked to the second line, or the main clause.
Each pair of lines (stanza) provides complete ideas within the pair and has the same rhyme in its end.
The first line of gurindam is known as syarat (protasis) and the second line is jawab (apodosis). In other words, the first line states a condition while the second line provides the answer.
The difference between Gurindam and Poetry based on liputan6.com (translated into English):
Form and Structure
Gurindam:
- Usually consists of two stanzas or two lines (quatrain) that are interrelated.
- Each stanza consists of two lines forming four lines in one gurindam.
Poetry:
- Poetry has various forms and structures that are more diverse than gurindam.
- It can be in the form of verses, quatrains, sonnets, or other forms with different numbers of lines and stanzas.
Language Style
Gurindam:
- Gurindam often uses simple and straightforward language.
- The language style can be advisory, moral teachings, or admonitions.
Poetry:
Poetry has the freedom to use more creative language styles, such as metaphor, symbolism, or language that is more dense and rich in meaning.
Content and Function
Gurindam:
- Gurindam often contains moral teachings, ethics, and practical advice.
- Its main function is to provide life guidance or contain life values that can be learned.
Poetry:
- Poetry can address various themes, ranging from love, nature, social issues, politics, to abstract life.
- The function of poetry can be broader, including entertaining, expressing feelings, or responding to specific events.
Example
Gurindam from asianhumanities.wordpress.com:
Kurang fikir, kurang siasat, Tentu dirimu, kelak tersesat.
Fikir dahulu sebelum berkata, Supaya terelak silang-sengketa.
Translation
Think less, inquire less, Surely yourself, will later digress.
Think first before you speak, To avoid disputes that might peak.
Poetry from mypoeticside.com:
When I love I feel that I am the king of time I possess the earth and everything on it and ride into the sun upon my horse.
When I love I become liquid light invisible to the eye and the poems in my notebooks become fields of mimosa and poppy.
When I love the water gushes from my fingers grass grows on my tongue when I love I become time outside all time.
When I love a woman all the trees run barefoot toward me…
