Father and Daughter

Father and Daughter

I read "A lotus in the mud" poem today
Nini Zaw had portrayed "father and daughter" together
They not only look similar in physical features
But also in the situations each faced for dear Burma.

Father looks stern and determined
Daughter is sweet and sublime
But, determined and defined too
She cares for the people.

Father opposed the British
He fought the Japanese Fascists
He vanquished the Burmese extremists
A Union of Burma was thus established.

Daughter was selected by the people
To lead them for democracy and human rights too
She shouldered her duty full
She sacrificed her life, hubby and hues.

Father died in ninety forty seven
Things have not changed since then
Tyrants and militarists rule the land
People languished in prisons and in their hands.

A major revolution occurred in eighty eight
People fought for democracy for people's sake
Daughter was made their leader
She has been leading them for their honour.

She has been attacked and detained
"To tame her and defend her", they claimed
but they are afraid of even her name
Their mean act sent them to shame
People disdain them, loathe them
People want to send them to hell mayhem.

She is still held lonely
They think she would surrender easily
They err heftily
She is "her father' daughter" already
We must demand for her liberty
We wish her to be free and healthy!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
19.6.2007
In Commemoration of Daw ASSK's Birthday today

A Lotus in the Mud (noon hte hma kyar)

A Lotus in the Mud
(noon hte hma kyar)

The night is dark
The land is parched
The grass is dry
Many people cry.

"We are hungry
We are thirsty
Please feed us
Please give us water".

We get the smell of food
No one share with us
We hear the sound of water
No one pour into our cups.

Then, we hear a song
Calling us to throng
To rush to a nearby pond
"You all will be fed anon."

We rush to th pond quickly
We find food and water plenty
We eat and drink happily
We look for the singer eagerly.

There was none to be seen
No indication of a human being
Only a lotus was seen
It's in the mud blooming.

Its colour is lily white
It's standing upright
Bulls and buffaloes may fight
Gales and storms may glide
She does not sway left or right
She stays upright.

She is the symbol of righteousness
She is pointing to the path correct
She is full of vigour and frgarance
She will lead us to second independence.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo (18.6.2007)
for Daw ASSK's 62nd Birthday (19.6.2007)

“My father” as Seen by Others

“My father” as Seen by Others

“My father” is a martyr
He gave his life for Burma
People still remember him
They regard him as ‘king”.

Kodaw Hmaing called him “king”
He took his disciple as kith and kin
He compared him to great kings of Burma
He mourned deeply when he was murdered.

U Nu called him “a great leader”
Courageous, decisive and selfless than others
Other people praised him further
Many called him “Pha Khin Bogyoke” or our father.

Dagon Taryar dubbed him,”untamed”
It does not mean uncultured or “untrained”
Just that he disdained artificial ornamentations
Like unnecessary doting, decorations, and deliberations.

U Saw called him, “a neophyte”
“I don’t like him, I’ll fight,
Further he slighted me by ambush
Who I’m, what I’m”, I’ll prove”.

That vengeance led to murder
U Saw was wrong in this matter
Other people committed the ambush
Ne Win’s stooges did it in “yebaw’s boots”.

Ne win said, “He was a “green horn”,
He did not know Burma to rule how,
He was a thorn in my life:
Now, follow me as your leader and guide”.

Burma sank with Ne Win
People compared with him
They brought down Ne Win
But Ne Win’s men still reign.

People chant my father’s name
To encourage people to claim
Democracy and human rights to gain
They send SPDC to shame.

Aung San is his name
He did not seek fame
He disclaimed wealth either
He remained a true leader and soldier.

He is my father
He is your father too
He knew he‘s his father also
We know he is our father, leader of all of Burma.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo (15.06.2007)
(Dedicated to Father’s Day on 17.6.2007 and
Martyr’ Day on 19.7.2007)

Invictus (Ah Naing Ma Khan)

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

--William Ernest Henley
(August 23, 1849 – July 11, 1903) was an English poet, critic and editor.

The Pyinma Stump (Pyinma Ngote Toh)

The Pyinma* Stump
(Pyinma Ngote Toh)

Gnarled, grotesque and vulture like
Old Pyinma stump assumes an ugly sight
It stands alone on the mound height.

Its branching point has an old hole
Scab around it has hardened and old
It was eaten by white ants galore.

Near the mound bank the soil is parched
A soldier's helmet and a dry cloth dummy perched
It points to a military camp.

This old Pyinma stump
Has endured wars and white ants
Suffered sword-cuts and sun-burns
Storms could not turn it bowed
When summer comes along…
Old leaves fall down for new leaves
It assumes a new look in the breeze
Wow! Thou art a hero to me.

* Pyinma is a big tropical tree like an oak tree in Europe.

Minthuwun
(11.1.1949)
Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(13.6.2007)

My Father

My Father

He was short and slender
He spoke bluntly with swears
His clothes were worn with dirt
But, he won the people's heart.

He spoke simply
He ate nimbly
His abode was dinghy
But, people had hope in him.

He had courage and grit
He led the fight against Fascists
He opposed the British imperialists
He insisted only for Burmese independence.

He had no personal enemy
He dined with people of enmity
He even took U Saw to British authority
He talked with Atlee for independence.

He was loved by the people of Burma
He was lionized by his followers
He was respected by the British colonizers
But, he was murdered by the traitors.

He was my father, short and stern
He wore old clothes and darns
He lived in a barn
But, all power trappings he shunned.

He said he would quit politics
When Burma was free from the British
He would write with ethics
He would establish a democratic Burma.

But, Alas! He was assassinated by U Saw
Why U Saw did that for his fall? Can any one tell us all?

I have lost my father, he has lost a father
You all have lost father, it's a nation's loss for ever!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo (7.6.2007)
In commemoration of Father's Day on June 17th 2007

The Martyr’s Mausoleum (Ar-Zar-Ni Beikman)

The Martyr’s Mausoleum
(Ar-Zar-Ni Beikman)
(Laycho or 4-fold poem by Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing)

Aw! So many halls, chambers and magnificent mansions
That decorates the palace in extravagant fashion
The victory has not yet been announced in proclamation
The southern Jabudipa’s Burma is full of pretensions
Aung San’s killing may have such dimensions
Ten thousand Burma should have funeral procession
I like to drape his coffin with peacock flag in cremation.

He was my close disciple
I can’t pretend my grief is controllable
I can’t help, it’s very deplorable
It reminds us of southern Jabudipa’ Pagan chronicles
King Kyansit’s grandson, great Alongsithu, was ablea
He was attacked by less honourable persons
That resulted in blood shed and dead men
As swords and spears flied in the mayhem
Similarly it happened in the dynasty of Ava kings
King Thar-Lun’ throne was attempted from within
None other than his son Shin Ta-Yoke, the crown prince,
He was almost successful in taking the reign
But, Buddhist monks came to the rescue of the great king
Shin Ta-Yoke was defeated and imprisoned for later killing
Similar episode occurred during king Min-Ye Yandameik’ era
Who was attacked by his own brother, Lord of Prome, the usurper?
But, he was not successful either;
If you wish to take lesson further
So many palace conspiracies occurred
In Talaing (Mon) Desa, Tha-Mein-Ba-Yan was the conqueror
He was the general of King Dhamma-Cedi of Hansa-Waddy ruler
He was killed by a lesser man of doubtful personality and honor
As though he was eaten by a ghost or devoured
I really miss the Burmese pageantry and grandeur
That flourished in upper Burma or Ah-Nyar
Where King Mindon governed with love and charity
His son, Prince Myint-Gun, attacked him with ferocity
To wrestle the throne after killing crown prince Ka_Naung, cruelly
But he failed and fled to the British Chancellery
It was a bad example of rude and ruthless roguery
It’s my honest opinion and guide for posterity.

With a king’s spirit, king’s pride and kingly determination
Aung San repelled the British and Japanese invasions
He conquered many enemies’ infiltration
But, “History repeats itself” is the maxim
It’s a natural phenomenon in the nation
I like to relate the Tagaung history and its implications.

It was like building a country and palace for a king
They were sitting in a cabinet meeting
Unscrupulous men were waiting for their hideous action
They were so treacherous in their mission
They would attack the king in broad daylight vision
Like hell hounds at large killing the knight with bleeding
It was the fate of good men to fall for oblivion
So sudden was their plight in falling
Drowning in blood to fly to Tavadein-Sa direct
Lamentable like sun setting at night;
It’s now time for remorse right?
To strike the Dhamma drum nicely
Setting the wheel of Dhamma rolling in the country
For the law of impermanence or Anicca to be seen by many
For us to unite for any eventuality
Now, we must prepare for the funeral activity
To cremate Aung San and his cronies
In the ever-lasting, elegant edifice for eternity
I’ll pay homage with humility
Well, our Burmans need not weep or worry
Evil men have succeeded only in one treachery
As Aung San died like floating downstream easily
Before reaching his destiny
With north and south chambers in the palace plenty
He had almost achieved it perfectly
Oh, I miss him dearly.

Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing
(19.7.1964)
Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(6.6.2007)

Pay Back Your Debt of Gratitude! (Kyay Zu Sub Lot)

Pay Back Your Debt of Gratitude!
(Kyay Zu Sub Lot)

In the history of Burma
It has never happened ever
We were enslaved for a hundred years
Poor Burmese tried hard to recover
The lost sovereignty from colonizers
Then a bright sun appeared
It was Bogyoke Aung San, the martyr
Our beloved leader, people’s benefactor,
He fought and conquered the colonizers,
Imperialist enslavers and Fascist monsters
Independence was thus recovered
His debt is very big, nay, greater
Than the great earth and massive Myintmo together
Such was General Aung San’s endeavours.

“Incomparable and unequalled”, they say
The whole world was amazed
It was such Bogyoke’s image
Let us pay homage for sacrifices he made
He identified with the poor workers and peasants lately
He ate, slept and stayed with them affectionately
And he did not climb the state hierarchy
To be the elite of the society
But, he said he would try to be literati
After independence is gained completely
His character was thus praise worthy
He never misappropriated any state property
Not even a broken needle or crockery
So impeccable was his honesty
He could be compared to Mingyi Yan Naung for such sobriety.

But, his fate was badly sealed
He was mercilessly killed
By his enemies, U Saw’s men
On 19th July nineteen forty seven
It was a fateful day with bad omen
With downpours and sullen heaven
Gunshots were fired at them
Bogyoke and his ministers had fallen
It was a bad ominous day for the Burmese land.

Now, let us remember the sad incident
Never to forget Bogyoke and his intent
Who sacrificed their lives all of a sudden
To uplift the status of their country men
From hunger, poverty, rags and empty land
To well-fed, well-clothed and well-tended men
This for all poor workers and peasants
That’s what Bogyoke had wanted
So, let’s work hard with intent
To supplant the great debt we owed to him.

Yan Aung
(19.7.1964)

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(3.6.2007)

A Time For Repayment of Gratitude (Kyay Zu Sub Chain)

A Time For Repayment of Gratitude
(Kyay Zu Sub Chain)

It’s the monsoon awakening
We cannot forget the July happening
My mind is unstable and deteriorating
My heart is sad and sickening
I’m alone moaning and groaning.

Bogyoke Aung San and his comrades were
People’s flowers murdered in cold blood
They were a broken branch that fell in a rush
We cannot console ourselves enough.

Oh! With a misty eye and paining heart
I feel tired and hurt
I miss him and see his works
I pay homage thus.

Let us march forward
Despite the hard journey with difficulties
To reach our destiny in a new era
That is the paradise of the workers.

Artists, writers, musicians and fellow workers
Form the powerful intelligentsia
They are marching together.

At farms, factories and foundries
Workers work with will and body
These physical workers also contribute to the country
They are marching to reach our destiny.

Burma proper and states do not segregate
Unity has been made
This united strength is great
It is marching to reach the declared state.

From the country and city schools
Male and female learners are equal in full
These sincere students become our force too
They are marching towards a higher plateau.

With a misty eye and paining heart
I feel tired and hurt
I miss him and see his works
I pay homage thus.

He sacrificed his life easily
For an independent and united country
It’s thus our duty to maintain its unity
To preserve the union thus attained correctly.

Towards a peaceful workers’ epoch destiny
Let us march with determination and industry
With strong desire and plenty of ingenuity
It’s time to pay back our debt to Bogyoke-kyi.

Budalin Chit Lay
(19.7.1964)

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(4.6.2007)

19th July

19th July

19th July is a wake-up call for the nation
To be alert on all occasions
It applies to every one in all generations
Not to forget it for any reason.

It was a day in rainy season
But clear and pleasant in the horizon
It was indeed a fateful morning
Saturday was bad for the astrological vision.

At ten thirty that morning
Bogyoke and cabinet were in the meeting
People’s affairs were they discussing
Independence was soon to be coming.

At that time, a green jeep came sudden
Holding Tommy and Sten guns in hands
Number 12 Buregt army uniformed men
Jumped down from the jeep and ascended the stairs.

In a few minutes or round about
People heard gunshot sounds of “Phyauk Phyauk”
Echoing of Tommy and Sten guns bouts
It reverberated in the secretariat aloud.

The echo of gunshots reached the sky
It spread far and high
The gun smokes ran wild
Every one was terrified.

In that instance, our beloved Bogyoke fell
Learned journalist Deedoke U Ba Cho as well
So did Mong Pun Saobwa, the amicable Shan leader,
The senior statesman Thakhin Mya too were murdered
Mahn Ba Khaing, the simple Karen leader,
Saya U Razak, the Mandalay-tha
And Bogyoke Ahko U Ba Win also were
Assassinated and lost for ever.

This sad news spread like wildfire
Throughout Rangoon and elsewhere
The whole country mourned for the fallen leaders
For their irreplaceable loss with sorrow and anger
It was a great blow as all our leaders died young
We missed them and yearn for ever
It is now over seventeen years.

Bogyoke and martyrs sacrificed their lives
For Burmese people to rejoice
Independence, democracy and human rights
It’s time for us to strive
With stamina, zeal and pride
To follow Bogyoke’s plan to realize.

We can’t forget 19th July
It’s a day to cry
But it’s also reminding us
To be alert in all generation!

Tun Ne Nwe’
(19.7.1964)

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(2.6.2007)

To My Dear Chum (Chit Te’ Thu Nge Lay)

To My Dear Chum
(Chit Te’ Thu Nge Lay)
My dear chum, workers and friends,
On July seven nineteen forty seven
Our beloved Bogyoke, people’s leader, had fallen
Murdered by merciless hell hound heathens
Remember, repent and render it as a lesson.

Let victory beget victory
Don’t conceal their sacrifices for the country
We owe a great debt of gratitude for eternity
Do not waver and have unity
To preserve our union’s stability
We must be imbued with honesty and sincerity
We must march forward with certainty
With zeal zest and unity
It’s your duty, my dear working people!

My dear chum, workers and friends,
Our independence then is our life blood
We cherish it in our bosom and heart
Nobody should endanger it or smear it with dirt
It must be kept clean as first gold unscathed unhurt.

We must discard wrong beliefs and mental butts
Level the uneven ground in our path
Destroy any impediment that obstructs our journey
Educate the profiteering capitalist minority
Till our land, plant our land and feed people with efficiency
Work hard in our workshops and factories
People must own businesses for their utility
Build our economy strong for any eventuality.

If we change ourselves we’ll see every thing right
Then, we can march forward without losing sight
Of our goal of a good life or paradise
Let’s strive forward, singing the chorus thrice united.

Ze Ya
(19.7.1964)
Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(4.6.2007)