Sweat

Each single day, my dad collects
his beads of sweat in a bottle
and stashes it in the fridge.

When my temperature is so high,
My dad will pour his well-chilled sweat
into a glass, for me to drink.

Glug. Glug. Fever gone.

By Joko Pinurbo
translated, from the Bahasa, by Wawan Eko Yulianto

 
Wawan Eko Yulianto is a graduate student in the Program in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. His main interests include literary translation, American literature by Muslim authors and ethnic American literature.

Joko Pinurbo is an award-winning Indonesian poet who won the Best Poetry Collection Award from Jakarta Arts Council (2001), Khatulistiwa Literary Award (2005). Some of his best poems have been translated into English by the well-respected Australian professor and translator Dr. Harry Aveling.