In The Midst of

Hardship
Latiff Mohidin
Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan,in 1941.
Malaysia's most celebrated living artist and poet
National treasure
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Extraordinary Vision 2
 IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP
By: Latiff Mohidin
At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair
The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son’s
albino buffalo that was never found
They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a
complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling
their cigarette leaves
pair
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“
The poem describes the hardship experienced by a
family during a bad flood. The persona describes
how the family spends the night wading through the
floodwater, looking for their son’s albino buffalo.
They return home at dawn, unsuccessful in locating
the buffalo. Yet their countenance reveals no trace of
disappointment or sadness. They get together in the
kitchen where they are able to unwind while
enjoying the company of the family and the simple
pleasures in life.

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 Moral Lesson
 We must always focus on the positive
aspects of life
 We must be resilient when faced with
hardship
 We must never give in to despair and always
strive to overcome problems
 We must not let problems dominates our
lives
 We must not complain when things do not
favour us
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 We must be content with what we have