Ziarah Rindu, A Poetry Collection Book for

Beloved Person by Dean of Unpas Faculty of

Arts and Literature
March 31st, 2022

BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Dean of Universitas Pasundan Faculty of Arts and Literature, Dr. Hj.
Senny Suzanna Alwasilah, M.Pd published a poetry collection book entitled Ziarah Rindu. The
book printed by FISS Press consists of 54 poetry packed in two languages: Bahasa Indonesia and
English.

As the title implies, about 80 percent of the poetry presented in this book is the theme of longing.
Each poem presents a sweet and lyrical composition, as well as conveying sensitivity and
longing musings.

Dr. Hj. Senny Suzanna Alwasilah, M.Pd, as well as President of Asian Women Writers
Association (AWWA), stated that it took approximately one year to collect and write the poetry
until it could be published as a book.
“The preparation is quite long, about one year. It also takes time to collect them. In addition, for
me, writing a poem is harder than writing a short story,” she said at Unpas Campus IV, Jalan Dr.
Setiabudhi Bandung, on Wednesday (March 31st, 2021).

Things that encourage her to write this book are none other than her spirit and form of affection
to her beloved people. Publishing her own book become her biggest expectation which finally
can be actualized.

‘Ziarah Rindu’ is the first published personal work. Before this, her works were published in an
anthology book of poetry written with other poets.

“I write the poetry in the book all by myself. I want to have my own book, because more than 10
poetry collection books containing my work were written along with other poets,” she said.

Uniquely, the poetry is presented in two languages. On the left side, it presents in Bahasa
Indonesia, while on the right side, it was translated into English. This book is planned to be made
trilogy or three series with similar theme.

Of 54 poems in ‘Ziarah Rindu’, a poem entitled ‘Sepasang Jiwa’ and ‘Hadiah Ulang Tahun
untuk Suamiku di Keabadian’ is the most likeable poems. Both of them consisted of touching
verses and represented longing.

Other than publishing ‘Ziarah Rindu’, the Dean herself is currently working on Haiku collection
or Japanaese poem. Haikum is a three-verse poem which consists a structure of 5-7-5 syllables.

“I have already collected 100 Haiku in Bahasa Indonesia and English. This is harder than
composing a common poem; because there should be Kigo in Haiku, a word representing nature
or season. If it is translated into English, it should also be 5-7-5,” she added.

According to her, making Haiku requires perseverance and regular practice. This is because the
contents of the message and the conclusion must be conveyed in only three short verses of
poetry.

“I joined HaikuKu Indonesia, a community of Haiku writer, which has currently had more than
10 thousand members, In the community, the members themselves is able to practice by sending
their works every day. Each of their works will also be corrected,” she ended.

The Haiku collection book is targeted to be finished and edited so that it can also be published as
soon as possible. Haiku collection book will be the second book after ‘Ziarah Rindu’ to be
published by FISS Press (Reta Amaliyah S)*