DIAM DI BAWAH KUBAH - By Ika Yuni Purnama

Written By: Ika Yuni Purnama

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the tapestry of words woven by Ika Yuni Purnama, "DIAM DI BAWAH KUBAH" emerges as a poignant reflection on Hagia Sophia, a place where history, spirituality, and architecture converge. This evocative piece is part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Through this competition, Hashtag Kalakar celebrates literary artistry and creativity from around the world, inviting writers to share their unique perspectives. Ika's work delves into the spiritual and temporal layers of a city that is as much a monument to past empires as it is a living testament to the human spirit.

About the Work

Ika Yuni Purnama's poetry captures the profound silence and eternal dialogues beneath the domes of Hagia Sophia. The imagery of gulls stitching the sky and the Bosphorus acting as a silent witness to centuries past creates a vivid tableau. Her words explore themes of faith, memory, and the passage of time, inviting readers to ponder what lingers in the spaces between prayers and history. The poem's contemplative mood and rich symbolism evoke a sense of timelessness, echoing the enduring presence of this iconic structure.

Ika Yuni Purnama

Original Submission by Ika Yuni Purnama

DIAM DI BAWAH KUBAH

Hagia Sophia: Sebuah Kota di Antara Doa

Oleh: Ika Yuni Purnama

Permukaan Bosphorus

burung camar di langit

menjelang senja

Kapal-kapal feri mengurai bayangan Bosphorus

burung-burung camar menjahit langit dua benua

walau tak sepakat, di mana harus berakhir

Di jalan-jalan bebatuan gelisah dalam diam

Kubah-kubah menghimpun waktu,

menuntun tangan renta mengumpulkan daun-daun gugur:

emas Byzantium,

biru Ottoman,

napas doa yang bangkit dari abad ke abad

menuju langit yang tak sepenuhnya menjawab

Apa yang, mereka bawa?

adakah kepastian tentang Tuhan

di telapak tangan masing-masing.

Mereka mengangkat wajah

untuk para santo yang dilukis di dinding,

kepada langit-langit kaligrafi yang melingkar bak sungai

di sepanjang sejarah yang hadir tanpa ketuk pintu

hingga kesedihan menjadi keabadian

Wajah-wajah lama menunggu

seseorang untuk mengingatnya.

Pada malam hari,

Bosphorus menghitam.

Seribu jendela bergetar

di permukaan air, menyimpan pengasingan kecil:

seorang perempuan menunggu pesan,

ada mahasiswa memimpikan negeri lain,

banyak lelaki yang tak lagi tahu

ia telah kehilangan imannya

alpa akan Tuhan

Dan entah di bagian mana dari dirinya

di dalam masjid, museum atau apa pun

kubah tetap bertahan

Menjelang fajar,

cahaya pertama menyentuh batu.

Kota terjaga. Hagia Sophia tersenyum

Kapal-kapal kembali menyeberang.

Burung-burung camar kembali mencicit

berdebat dengan angin

terbang menjahit langit

Istanbul, 29 September 2026

SILENCE BENEATH THE DOME

Hagia Sophia: A City Between Prayers

By Ika Yuni Purnama

The Bosphorus,

gulls suspended in the sky,

dusk descending.

Ferries unravel their shadows

across the Bosphorus,

while gulls stitch the sky

between two continents

that cannot agree

on where the world should end.

Along the restless cobblestone streets,

silence gathers.

The domes gather centuries,

guiding an ancient hand

to gather fallen leaves:

Byzantine gold,

Ottoman blue,

the breath of prayers rising

from one century to another,

toward a sky

that never fully answers.

What did they carry?

Was certainty of God

held in the palms

of each believer?

They lifted their faces

to saints painted upon the walls,

to calligraphy circling the vaults

like rivers winding through time.

Then history arrived

without knocking,

until sorrow itself

seemed destined for eternity.

Old faces remained,

waiting

for someone to remember.

At night,

the Bosphorus turns black.

A thousand windows tremble

upon the water,

each keeping its small exile:

a woman waiting for a message,

a student dreaming of another country,

men who no longer know

whether they have lost their faith

or simply forgotten

how to speak to God.

And somewhere within her

within the mosque,

within the museum,

within whatever name

the present gives her

the dome endures.

Before dawn,

the first light touches stone.

The city awakens.

Hagia Sophia smiles.

Ferries cross once more.

Gulls cry out again,

arguing with the wind,

stitching the sky

with their flight.

Istanbul, 29 September 2026

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the talents of writers from across the globe. This competition encourages participants to express their creativity through poetry and prose, fostering a diverse literary community. It provides a stage for voices to be heard and stories to be shared, promoting cultural exchange and artistic expression. Each submission reflects the unique vision and voice of its creator, contributing to the rich tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our gratitude to Ika Yuni Purnama for sharing "DIAM DI BAWAH KUBAH" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her evocative poetry offers a deep reflection on the spiritual and historical resonance of Hagia Sophia. Thank you, Ika, for your contribution to this celebration of creative writing. Your words bring to life the silent echoes and enduring whispers of a city between prayers.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.