A Plea to President Joko Widodo

 

Forgiveness is a fragrance of only the strong

The weak seek vengeance for all that is wrong

Though laws are made for all citizens to abide

Compassion is the language of the heart not the mind.

 

For Compassion, Kindness and Humility

Come mainly from a deep feeling called Empathy

With these qualities you can be completely assured

You will be a revered by your political peers

 

Dear President Joko Widodo, compassion, kindness and humility

In some corner of your heart I am sure you can find these three

Take a minute to look into the agony of the victims’ families

Then imagine what IT would be like to have your own, placed similarly

 

We plead to your authority to forgive Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

‘Cause if you do, the world who is fearfully watching and waiting on

Will have profound Admiration, Respect and Gratitude towards you.

And in that Forgiveness, you will find a sweet-scented Freedom too.

 

As the ‘Noble’ ‘Exalted’ Hero in History you’ll go down

Your Fragrance of Forgiveness will be forever lingering on

You’ll be known as the greatest Indonesian President who showed his Might

And just think about not having blood on your hands or a sleepless night.

 

So Your Excellency, President Widodo we plead you to re-think,

“Do I yield to the unforgiving Law or stir my compassionate being

To forgive these two mortal men who have no doubt showed remorse

And the Kindness and Humility shown will rid me of the weighty “Bloody” curse.

                                                     By Mariette Ross, Perth Australia, 18 February 2015