To Sir With Love...

I met Cikgu Basri Palil when I was in Form 1 in 1975. He came from Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor. In 1975 right after graduating from Temenggong Ibrahim Teacher Training College, he was posted to Sekolah Menengah Chaah, in Bekok Segamat.

My first impression of Cikgu Basri was that he was very fierce and strict. But all that changed after I know him better. I became very attached to him and spent almost everyday before school at his house. He taught me Geography. But I didn't really like the subject! I was more attracted to how he dressed to school. He always come to shoool with baggy shirt and a neck tie. In fact it was his signature style. After that many of my friends and I started to follow his dressing style.

I still keep in touch with him until today. It has been 32 years!

Today, Cikgu Basri lives in Parit Raja and teaches at Sekolah Menengah Tun Ismail. He lives with his wife, Kak Gee who also teaches at the same school. His 3 daughters are in universities now and sons still at primary schools.

I have a lot of unforgettable memories with Cikgu Basri. To me, he is the best teacher I have ever had! Maybe I will share them with you in future.

Ke Makam Bonda

Aku dan anak lelakiku, Ikhlas Khaled Novel sempat membersihkan makam bonda semalam petang. Waktu kami melangkah masuk ke kawasan perkuburan, kawasan tersebut begitu sepi. Cuma ada dua atau tiga lagi keluarga datang menziarah.

Sebaik aku mengajak Novel membersihkan makam, dia terus bersetuju. Kami berdua membawa perkakas untuk mencabut rumput, memotong lalang dan bekas air. Hujan renyai-renyai waktu itu. Dalam perjalanan dari Setiawangsa ke Pantai Dalam, kami singgah di Brickfield untuk membeli bunga.

Bonda pergi 11 tahun yang lalu. Syawal mendatang ini kami sekeluarga akan menyambutnya buat ke 11 kali tanpa bonda. Mudah-mudah Allah mencucuri rahmatNya ke atas Allahyarham...Amin!

Ke Makam Bonda

Kami mengunjungi pusara bonda
Sunyi pagi disinari suria
Wangi berseri puspa kemboja
Menyambut kami mewakili bonda

Tegak kami di makam sepi
Lalang-lalang tinggi berdiri
Dua nisan terkapar mati
Hanya papan dimakan bumi

Dalam kenangan kami melihat
Mesra kasih bonda menatap
Sedang lena dalam rahap
Dua tangan kaku berdakap

Bibir bonda bersih lesu
Pernah dulu mengucupi dahiku
Kini kurasakan kasihnya lagi
Meski jauh dibatasi bumi

Nisan batu kami tegakkan
Tiada lagi lalang memanjang
Ada doa kami pohonkan
Air mawar kami siramkan

Senyum kemboja mengantar kami
Meninggalkan makam sepi sendiri
Damailah bonda dalam pengabadian
Insan kerdil mengadap Tuhan

Begitu bakti kami berikan
Tiada sama bonda melahirkan
Kasih bonda tiada sempadan
Kemuncak murni kemuliaan insan

~Sajak hasil nukilan Usman Awang