Stella Damarjati

ID 0:02

This is a Vision Australia Radio podcast.

Kate Cooper 0:04

On Vision Australia Radio, welcome to our conversations on the work and experiences of emerging writers. I'm Kate Cooper, and our guest on today's program is spoken word poet Stella damajati. Stella performs her poetry at ellipsis, and we heard one of her poems in our program featuring the ellipsis poetry night earlier in November 2024 Stella also takes part in other live poetry events around Adelaide. Welcome to the program. 

Stella Damarjati

Thank you, Kate. 

Kate Cooper

Would you begin by telling us where you grew up and what that place means to you now.

Stella Damarjati 1:00

I grew up in Jokjakarta, Indonesia, for the first seven, eight years of my life - with my parents twin sister, aunties and uncle in a rented house. Then my dad got a job in Adelaide Australia, working as an Indonesian teacher. And shortly after, we migrated and followed him to Adelaide, Australia in 1994 and we have lived in Adelaide ever since then.

Kate Cooper 1:38

And Stella, you have some poetry that describes what home means to you. Would you share that with us?

Stella Damarjati 1:46

Yeah, sure. The first poem that I want to mention is what Jokia Indonesia means to me...

Red and white flag of my country of birth. I am a stranger here. I forget the words to your anthem. 

This one was inspired by, I guess, my husband and I once were in a group of friends practicing the Indonesian anthem for a choir at our church, and they were singing the anthem, and then I realised, Oh, I forget the words to the Indonesian National Anthem. So, yeah, so that's how long I guess I haven't been in Indonesia for traveling back to my birth country, the familiar sights and sounds of my beginning this one was about, I guess whenever I go back to Indonesia, I always see all these familiar sights and sounds of where I grew up, and that's what travelling back is now, reminds me of for what Australia means to me. 

This is from my book My Home, published by Ginanderra Press...

An Australian flag flutters in the wind my home. So it's a reflection and a question of even though I live in Australia, now, do I consider this to be my home? 

And the last one is Summit View...

The twin core of city lights below me, my home of 28 years. 

So it's 29 years now, but this one was inspired by me in Mount Lofty Summit. And I looked down and I realised, Wow, I have been here for, you know, 28-29 years. So that's what home. Well, not home, but Indonesia and Adelaide means to me now. 

Kate Cooper 4:20

Both of them in different ways, mean home to you? 

Stella Damarjati 4:24

Yes, yes.

Kate Cooper 4:25

That's lovely, Stella. I'd like to follow that up with a question that I've been asking other poets on this program: what are your earliest memories of working creatively?

Stella Damarjati 4:37

My earliest memory of working creatively? I remember I was at my primary school, and we had an art class with this art teacher. I forgot what her name was, and we had a, I guess, a book that we could write on or draw. And I remember writing a poem about the color red and... then I like, oh, this, this nice writing a poem. And then since then, I guess I went back to writing high key and short poetry in 2008 and then I started it again in 2018 and realised that I've been writing short poems, but not haiku, and in that year, I went back to writing haiku again, and also started writing other forms of poetry.

Kate Cooper 5:35

So Stella, following on from that, I've got another couple of questions specifically about writing poetry. What is it about poetry that especially draws you to this form of expression?

Stella Damarjati 5:47

I think I love writing poetry because it's another way to express yourself. I mean, I'm not a very good painter or, I guess, artist that draws. So that's why I thought, Oh, poetry is very straight... well, not not straightforward, but it's... all you need is a pen and paper or your mobile phone, and you can get inspiration from anywhere. And I just love writing words. So I fell in love with the form high key first, because it was very short. It focused on nature and the present moment. And I could just think it up anywhere, I guess, and get inspiration from nature. So and I was able to, yeah, enjoy writing haikyu, and that's what drew me into poetry. And I decided, after writing haikyu, I decided to explore more like cherita, which is a six line poetry that tells a story, or short poems that are more freestyle and other Japanese poetry form. Yeah.

Kate Cooper 7:06

Stella, I've never heard of cherita poetry before speaking with you. So where did cherita poetry originate?

Stella Damarjati 7:15

It was created by this lady called Ailee, and she's originally from, I think, Singapore or Malaysia. She decided, because she's written haiku before, and she's decided to create this short form of poetry, I guess, herself. And it's six lines, and it focuses on the present, and it just tells a story in six lines. That's basically because cherita means story, so that's why it just focuses on a story in six lines. And I fell in love with it when I first read it in back in 2020, COVID year. And then I'm like, Oh, wow, this is nice. I'll try to write some. 

And so I did, and I guess I submitted to her for her to publish. And some of them got published, and I have included them in the book my home, and some of the poems that I just recently read for the first question was a cherita that's six lines, and one of them was the haiku. So yeah. 

Kate Cooper 8:30

That is really, really interesting. It's one of the things I love about this program is that I learn new things from the guests who come on, and cherita is spelled C, H, E, R, I, T, A... if our listeners want to find out more, have the poems that you submitted to Ailee been published on the web?

Stella Damarjati 8:50

It has been published in several, she calls them cherita story books, and she publishes them in those books, and she prints them out, and she sells them in Amazon so people can actually buy them. It's like a compilation of all the cherita, it's like an anthology, I guess, of all the Charita that people have submitted and published, and that's where most of them get published most of my poems. Yeah.

Kate Cooper 9:22

Brilliant. Thank you, Stella. Can I ask you how many languages you speak and what languages they are?

Stella Damarjati 9:30

I speak three languages. I am more comfortable speaking English, but I can speak Indonesian and a little bit of Javanese, but they're just the basic level. Javanese is not as good as my Indonesian because it takes a lot of time for me to think about it and talk about it, and it's I mean, speak, and it can get. Very complex. But my Indonesian, whenever I go back to Indonesia, I strive to speak to my family, at least in pahasa, Indonesia, because then I can relate to them and communicate them with them better, but Japanese I can still understand, but in order for me to speak it, I can speak it just a little bit, but not as fluent as English. Yeah.

Kate Cooper 10:33

So do you write all of your poems in English? Or do you also write in Indonesian?

Stella Damarjati 10:39

I mostly write my poems in English, but I have written some in Indonesian, and I think about three or four that I have written in Indonesian, and that's just so I can share to people I can write in Indonesian and also so other family in Indonesia can also understand it, so then they kind of don't feel left out. Yeah. 

Kate Cooper 11:11

That's wonderful. And do you sometimes include Indonesian or Japanese words in your poems in English?

Stella Damarjati 11:19

Not recently, I do mix it, but usually, mainly it's English. And then if I do write in Indonesian, I try to translate them in English, so then people can know what what it means. Yeah.

Kate Cooper 11:36

Stella, would you perform one of your poems for us now?

Stella Damarjati 11:40

Oh yeah, sure, I am going to read this in Indonesian and then in English. First up, I just want to let you know about words that to translate them for you, because the second time that I'm going to do is it's going to be a mixture of Indonesian and English. So the first word is kecap manis, which is like sweet soy sauce, and then the second word is susu, which is milk. And then the word simba, or means grand ma or grandpa in Japanese. And then, so I'm going to mention about several words. 

Balancing is like a childhood song about five balloons. Sutangara pered means, have you done your homework in Japanese? So kuduk is a type of food which is like a jackfruit curry. That's how my mum translates it. Nasi dumpang is a rice, yellow rice, and you shape it like a mountain, yeah. And you've got food around the mountain, rice. So that's what na sidombang is. And I think that's it. So this poem, The form of the style of the poem, is from inspired by the Ella from Ella George lion, I am poem. So this one, I'll start off with Indonesian, and then I'll do it in a mixture of Indonesian and English. 

[NOTE: Indonesian words are transcribed here phonetically]

Ako dari kecap manis, Apache dari Susu. Aku dari Tapu, aku dari Tapu buhonca karanda Yang punganya membentu, hamparan, Umu, tipa, wah Kano, Pina aku, terlahir dari misam Alam natal Dan Petit Siang kuat dari Simba sutium Dan Simba Tito aku dari ke sunyan Dan tawa dari karaoke. Lantang Balon KU ATA Lima Dan sudangarap Aku Teri pengam punan rahmatu. Dan ketakunan Aku dari yokia karta Dan Simba to Kiyo tan te young, kuduk dan Nasi tumpang dari ke hilangan masa ke chil Papa, selama ke Tita, hatiran Bah kakong terika, kembira, an Simba Putri per temu Kemba, young perup, aktu Yang perupa mencati kenangan Yang terupakan Aku Teri moment moment itu menghitukan kembali kenangan Yang terlupa Khan telam Photo, photo ini dan mengingat kan tiriku teri mana aku per Asal.

And this one is the translation or mixture of Indonesian and English...

aku dari kecha manis apece dari Susu estua anam Dan chokla. Childhood scribbles on the wall. Innocent Messi, a free, permanent artwork on display. I am from sugar cane, the Jacaranda tree, whose flowers create a carpet of purple below its canopy. I am from Christmas Eve mass and strong calves from Simba som and Simba Ditto. I am from Silence and laughter, from loud karaoke of palanko adalimah and sudhanga rapa ed i am from forgiveness, grace and perseverance. I am from yokia, karta and Simba Tokyo and Teon kutuk and Nasi tumpang from Papa's lost childhood during bachagon absence from Simba three Joy reuniting with Simba kaun again after six years inside the drawers of my parents carved coffee table Lay photo albums storing moments in time that turn into forgotten memories. I am from those moments, reliving forgotten memories in these photos and reminding myself where I come from. 

So I forget to mention that I'll be doing the first part in Indonesian so I'll just do a translation of that first sentence. It means I am from the sweet soy sauce, A, B, C, from the milk baby formula, s, 26 and the chocolate waivers, stick.

Kate Cooper 18:19

Stella, that was absolutely beautiful. I loved that poem. Thank you.

Stella Damarjati 18:25

Thank you.

Kate Cooper 18:33

On Vision Australia Radio, you're listening to our conversation program, emerging writers, our guest today is Stella damadjati, spoken word poet. Stella, as we mentioned in the introduction, you are a spoken word poet who performs at the ellipsis and other poetry events. What inspired you to first start performing your poetry at spoken word events?

Stella Damarjati 18:58

I was inspired to start performing my poetry when I first attended a soul lounge open mic night, I think this was back either in 2018 or 2019 I forget I watched other people share their poetry, and this inspired me to Share some of mine. And then I then continued sharing my poetry at other open mic poetry groups and nights. Yeah.

Kate Cooper 19:29

Would you perform another of your poems for us now?

Stella Damarjati 19:32

Oh, yes, this one is another one from my book my home by Ginanderra Press. It's called Trust in Life.

To the child in me, remember smelling the wet earth after the rain. You fold origami boats and place them on a puddle of water, watching. Of them float. Remember your innocence. Remember to trust in life. You will be okay in the joy of spring and summer, in the cold and wet winter of pain, trust in life you will be okay. Remember to learn and grow when facing life's challenges. Trust that you will be okay and in your final breath, trust in life, trust in love.

Kate Cooper 20:36

Stella, your poetry has a beautiful rhythm to it. It's all so full of optimism.

Stella Damarjati 20:44

I thank you. That's what other people say.

Kate Cooper 20:47

Well, we're all right on that one. For many people, it would be quite nerve-wracking to start performing poetry in public, and I've talked about this with other spoken word poets on the program. What are your own experiences about how you prepare for a performance and manage those feelings of nervousness?

Stella Damarjati 21:08

I prepare for a performance by reading it out in my head and then practicing it beforehand, practicing my poem. That's what I mean. I Previously joined a Toastmasters Club when I was back at uni, I believe, and this helped me with my confidence in performing my poetry, and I managed my feelings of nervousness by taking some deep breaths beforehand and reassuring myself that I can do this.

Kate Cooper 21:44

And you can. I've seen you perform at the ellipsis poetry, and you do it beautifully. Thank you, Stella, could we hear another of your poems? Please? 

Stella Damarjati 21:53

Yes. This one is called Fireflies, from my book, My Home. 

I want to travel to my homeland, go back in time, back to when I was a child. I want to stand in the field of rice paddies as the sun sets, wait for the night to settle and the fireflies to appear. Watch them fly and dance. Feel the wind on my face, watch them flashing on and off, watching these ephemeral lights float in the night's darkness.

Kate Cooper 22:41

Beautiful. Stella, I have another question that I've been asking other guests on this program: how do you go about creating your works? Do you have a favourite place where you like to write? Do you write whenever the idea comes to you? What works best for you?

Stella Damarjati 22:56

I don't have a particular place I go to for writing poetry. Instead, I'm inspired by my observation of the world around me, whether it is nature, my experiences, the people around me, or specific observations that I notice throughout my day.

Kate Cooper 23:19

And what about performing your poetry? How does that influence the way you write?

Stella Damarjati 23:25

I focus on writing my poetry first and then decide on which poems I want to perform and share to the community.

Kate Cooper 23:34

Stella, could we hear another one of your spoken word poems?

Stella Damarjati 23:39

Sure, My home.

My home. I come from the smell of my mother's cooking. I come from the taste of sweet sugar canes. I come from the sound of heavy monsoon rain. I come from the faces of my grandparents. I come from the color of brown earth. I come from the home of my childhood. 

That's also from my book, My Home.

Kate Cooper 24:15

When I was listening to you at the Ellipsis poetry night, and the poem that we then broadcast when we featured that night on this program in early November, you talked about walking along the Onkaparinga Gorge, and I really felt like I was there with you. You have a way of drawing people into your poetry through the emotions that you express. 

Stella Damarjati

Thank you.

Kate Cooper

Stella, you've mentioned your book My Home, published by Ginanderra press. Where else can our listeners access your poetry?

Stella Damarjati 24:52

My Home is, you can buy it, I guess in Ginanderra Press or Amazon. I. Have recently self-published, also a chat book called Breaking Through Inertia. And if you would like a copy of that, you can contact me on Instagram at S K Damarjati - so that's S, K, D, A, M for Mary, A R, J, A, T for Tom and an I. Or you can add me or contact me in tick tock, and that's at SKD poetry.

Kate Cooper 25:37

Thank you, Stella. We have a very vibrant community of spoken word poets in Adelaide. What does being part of this community mean to you? 

Stella Damarjati 25:50

Personally, being a part of the spoken word community has been a wonderful experience. I thoroughly enjoy reading and sharing my poetry to the wider community, and I'm also able to listen to other poets, share their poetry, and in turn, they are able to listen to mine, and I hope they enjoy listening to my poems. 

Kate Cooper 26:15

I'm sure they will. I know that I do very much. Stella, when you're not writing or performing your poetry, what do you like doing? 

Stella Damarjati 26:23

I enjoy reading. My favorite genre is fantasy. I also enjoy reading poetry books written by other poets, and I don't have a particular favorite poetry author. Sometimes I go on short walks with my husband and we explore the trails around Adelaide. And sometimes I will find inspiration during these walks and write something down on my phone, like a short haiku or a short poem.

Kate Cooper 26:56

And you really do love being out in nature, don't you? 

Stella Damarjati

Yes.

Kate Cooper

Stella, thank you. It's been lovely to talk with you and to hear some of your poetry in Indonesian on this program. 

Stella Damarjati 27:10

Thank you, Kate, for this opportunity. I really enjoyed this interview and discussing my poetry with you. 

Kate Cooper 27:18

Thank you for coming in. Our guest on Emerging Writers today was spoken word poet Stella Damarjati. This program is produced in our Adelaide studios, and can be heard at the same time each week here on Vision Australia radio, VA radio, on digital, online at varadio.org and also on Vision Australia Radio podcasts, where you can catch up on earlier episodes. 

ID 27:52

Thanks for listening to this Vision Australia radio podcast. Don't forget to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Visit varadio.org for more. Vision Australia Radio - blindness, low vision, opportunity.