Joko Pinurbo, The End of the Reformer's Poetry

In Joko Pinurbo's poetry, everyday items appear as an entry point for discussing various themes. One novelty.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Writer Joko Pinurbo

Poet Joko Pinurbo passed away the day before National Poetry Day. Through his poetry he shows new possibilities in the Indonesian poetry landscape. At that point, he was a reformer.

Joko Pinurbo or Jokpin died on Saturday (27/4/2024) morning at Panti Rapih Hospital (RS), Yogyakarta and was buried in Sleman Regency, DIY, Sunday (28/4 /2024), right on National Poetry Day which is celebrated to commemorate the passing of poet Chairil Anwar.

Jokpin's wife, Nurnaeni Amperawati Firmina, stated that her husband had been treated at RS Panti Rapih since Thursday (25/4/2024). Jokpin was taken to the hospital because he complained of shortness of breath. However, after being treated for some time, the poet born in Sukabumi, West Java, on May 11, 1962, took his last breath, the end of his poem.

I know him as a simple person, not neko-neko.

Jokpin has been sick for a long time. At the end of October 2023, he was due to participate in the Kompas Word Festival, but was unable to do so.

"Recently, my health condition has not been good. My underlying illness relapsed; for the time being, I am dependent on oxygen therapy and a nebulizer. I am not sure if I can come to Jakarta. I apologize and hope for your understanding, Sir," said Jokpin on October 17, 2023.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

A number of people were praying near the body of poet Joko Pinurbo, which was laid in state at the PUKJ Funeral Home in Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta on Saturday (27/04/2024). Joko Pinurbo passed away on Saturday morning at Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta.

After that, Jokpin rested more for treatment. Earlier this year, his condition improved so that he could be treated at home. Then it worsened again, so he had to return to the hospital on April 24 and passed away at the age of 61.

He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren. "I know him as a simple person, not naughty," said Nurnaeni when met at the PUKJ Funeral Home, Saturday afternoon.

Also read: Joko Pinurbo, Spiritual Excursions in Poetry

Jokpin as a poet became widely known after he published his first book of poetry, Pants (1999). Jokpin's poems are considered to offer novelty because they deal with everyday objects, such as trousers, sarongs, cell phones and bathrooms, which rarely appear in the works of previous poets.

Jokpin's poems make the landscape of our poetry speech very rich and broad. We see many possibilities.

In Jokpin's poems, everyday items are present as entry points to discuss various themes. In the poem "Celana, 1" created in 1996, for example, Jokpin uses pants to talk about a child's yearning for their mother.

Then he went out/without pants/and wandered/looking for his mother's grave/only to ask:/"Mom, where do you keep the cute pants/that I wore when I was a baby?"//

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Information on the burial of poet Joko Pinurbo at the PUKJ Funeral Home in Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta on Saturday (27/4/2024). Joko Pinurbo passed away on Saturday morning at Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta.

In the poem "Mobile Phone", Jokpin uses a mobile phone to talk about love. The mobile phone becomes Jokpin's means to tell a story about a man who longs for a woman he met at a party.

Separate plot

Poet Hasan Aspahani stated that Jokpin is a poet who has successfully opened his own unique space in the landscape of Indonesian literature. This is because Jokpin's poems present a new way of expression that differs from the works of previous poets, making him regarded as one of the renewers of the Indonesian literary tradition.

"Jokpin's poems make the landscape of our poetry recitation very rich and vast. We see many possibilities," said Hasan who learned a lot from Jokpin's works.

For Hasan, Jokpin's works have succeeded in bringing freshness to Indonesian poetry which previously had mostly gloomy nuances. Jokpin's works also demonstrate that everyday objects can be utilized in the creation of poetry.

Also read: Joko Pinurbo and Beauty in the Everyday World

Apart from that, Jokpin also follows technological developments, such as the internet and social media, to enrich his poetry. In fact, he once published a book entitled Haduh Aku Di-Follow which contains a collection of poetry or Twitter-poetry.

Another important element in Jokpin's poems is humor. According to Hasan, humor is combined with various other elements in Jokpin's poetry, such as tragedy and romance. "Therefore, humor becomes a distinct feature in Mas Jokpin's verses," said the literary figure who is also the First Deputy Chairman of the Jakarta Art Council.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

General Manager of Gramedia Pustaka Utama Andi Tarigan (left) handed over a picture of the cover of the poetry collection Epigram 60 to poet Joko Pinurbo, Monday (16/5/2022), at the Gramedia Sudirman Bookstore, Yogyakarta. Epigram 60 is Joko Pinurbo's latest collection of poetry published to celebrate the poet's 60th birthday.

Poet Warih Wisatsana added that Jokpin's works capture the social, cultural, and political life of the country over the past 30 years. "All of this portrays Jokpin's lengthy intellectual work, which is passed down to the next generation of poets," he said.

Let's open/what's in this can of Khong Guan:/biscuit/peyek/chips/ampiang/or rengginang?//Simsalabim//Open it!// What's in it turns out to be/cellphone/ATM card/ticket/voucher/medicine/amulet / and pieces of longing/ that have been petrified//

This is one of Jokpin's poems entitled "Khong Guan Religion" in the book Khong Guan Banquet. The book containing 80 poetry titles was launched with dozens of people at the Gramedia bookstore, Jakarta, on January 26 2020.

At that time, Jokpin explained that his book was not just about biscuit brands, but also about love and diversity.

Inspiration

Among young writers, Jokpin is an inspiration. Many have become more active in poetry after reading his works. His attitude is also egalitarian. One of the witnesses is Gratiagusti Chananya Rompas, who has written at least three books of poetry. Jokpin's work, Pants, inspired him to form the Sunflower community in 2005. Members of the community play while honing their poetry skills when they gather.

Jokpin influenced me on how to view poetry.

From Jokpin's work, Anya, as she is commonly called, learned about the economy of words. According to her, every word in Jokpin's work always has a function. That is why Jokpin is able to make short poems that have a great meaning.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Poet Joko Pinurbo reads his poems at the Poetry for Mother Earth event in Jakarta, Thursday (27/4/2017).

"Jokpin's poems in the book Pants are very fresh and it makes me feel that poetry doesn't have to use flowery words. You can just use everyday words. Poetry can also be upsetting, but it can also joke through poetry. Jokpin influenced me on how to view poetry," said Anya.

For the editor of the Gramedia Pustaka Utama publisher who has been editing Jokpin's books, Mirna Yulistianti, Jokpin is one of Indonesia's best poets after Sapardi Djoko Damono. Even so, Jokpin always remains humble when interacting with various parties.

Jokpin has always been cooperative with the publisher of his book, and is always present when asked to be a source. "There have been several occasions where he was actually sick, but still made time to attend the book launch that we held," said Mirna, who has been a book editor for Jokpin for 17 years.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Joko Pinurbo and Sapardi Djoko Damono had a discussion on literature at Taman Ismail Marzuki, which was watched by hundreds of young people in May 2016.

Mirna explained that Jokpin always supports young poets in Indonesia. Even as a senior poet, Jokpin is willing to write dedication poems for a number of young poets, such as Aan Mansyur and Adimas Immanuel.

"Mas Jokpin also often recommends several authors to publish their books. "This is important for regeneration," he said.

Jokpin creates according to the trends, so he is always relevant. This innovator has reached the end of his poem to start another one on a new page. On National Poetry Day, we accompany you. Farewell. Happy poetry from the softest place of God!