Serenade at Seventy

I’m surprised that I live this long
I would be seventy after this birthday now
Not in English norm but in Chinese measure
When birth itself is counted as one year.

As you know I was born in Monywa
Busiest town after Mandalay in Upper Burma
Situated on the east bank of Chindwin River
It’s famous for Ledi Sayadaw and others.

My father was a member of the Dhobamar
My mother was a typical Myanmar
He fought for independence of Burma
She fought for our education and our welfare.

My parents schooled me to the end
I had the best education possible then
I won the scholarship at standard seven
I attended Mandalay premedical haven.

I entered the University of Rangoon
I took part in all its activities soon
Stay in Mandalay Hall was good fortune
My university life was really a boon.

I have a sojourn in Mandalay
It was a medico for 3 years’ stay
It portrayed me as a student activist
I led social and reading club politics.

I returned to Rangoon in final years
To continue my activities so far
To uplift the cause of the poor
I also studied hard for my future.

There were romances in final years
I was lured by love and laughter
After graduation I became a military doctor
New experiences were real adventures.


I treated patients for healing sake
Never for name and money to make
I also taught to students first aids
Teaching, reading made me feel great.

I trained at the BMH hospital wards
I was doing my duties always superb
My superiors were satisfied enough
State scholarship was thrust into my grasp.

I was sent to the Shan State
I took part in many fights at stake
To repel the KMT and rebel renegades
Treating civilians and soldiers alike was great.

I wrote stories and articles on medicine
For lay people’s education and participation
In all health activities of the nation
I made them participate in health mission.

I was selected as a scholar at 24
Destined to UK as a WHO fellow
How fortunate I was, they say so
I thank my mentor and teachers of yore.

I had a first class training in London
My supervisor was a magnificent madam
Only female anatomy professor at the time
She was President of Anatomy Society to shine.

I have been to many universities in UK
I have met many anatomists of the day
I learned a lot in teaching and research
I got a Ph.D. as a reward.

Ph.D. is the higher degree a university offers
To a student whose research and endeavor
Is up to the mark of authentic teachers
It recognizes one as an educational leader!

Jobs were offered to me in Britain
A Saudi friend also maintained
A medical school was opened there
I may get a job there easier and better.


But, I returned to my country
Opportunities were plenty
For teaching research and social reform
I was young and full of forms.

I was appointed professor in the age 30s
I joined professor rank as rarity
But I really tried hard in my field
I initiated many postgraduate degrees.

I started sex education in Burma
Dr Ba Than lent me his favour
He wrote a foreword in my first endeavour
“Science, Sex and Marriage’ has been a best seller.

I supported students’ activities
Both sport and literary necessities
Also other extracurricular activities
I planned to promote perfect personalities.

No doubt there were difficulties
As regards examination and exigencies
There had been indulgences and inefficiencies
A strict stalwart had to face insolence and insurgencies.

Sincere people valued my contributions
I was sent in many state study delegations
I trained in the science of medical education
I was the first to get a degree in the latest vocation.

I have been offered promotions
More than once in my profession
But, I was happy in my position
A professor can do a lot for education.

I have a devoted wife
She has sacrificed her life
Fight for me and the family
I am very happy.

My daughters are dainty and daring
They are hungry for their education
They succeeded in getting good occupation
I have full satisfaction.


On looking back I have done a lot
For my people with what they got
In medical and lay education need to be taught
Social and political activities as were wrought.

Between the rulers and the ruled
I was always sided with the people
Some overt, some covert, others obscure
But my activities are for people to be sure.

A man is born in a day
He would also die one day
He does not know where he comes from
He also has no idea to go after life now.

What is important in life?
It’s full of strife
Age seventy is not a big prize
It is also not a small size.

My English friends used to ask me
If I had done some thing fully
“Will you like to repeat it?” duly
“Yes, I will!” I would answer
It’s the same for my life so far
It’s a most satisfying life ever.

I have met many co travelers
Some perished in the first quarter
Others limp to the last leg further
Ageing, disease, death is the determiner
No one can escape the law of nature
Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta is always there
No one can escape from her
Oh, let me have a shorter sojourn in Samsara!

N.B.: Dhobama = Our Burman Association: Its members were called Thakhin (Master)
Anicca = Impermanence, Dukkha = Suffering, Anatta = Not mine
Samsara = Cycle of births and rebirths


Dr Maung Maung Nyo
18.7.2008 (original)
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Great Enchanting Garden

A gardener invited me to visit his garden
He said it’s not so great but a small haven
One can scent flowers and make them garland
Birds and butterflies boom with buds and blend.

One day I visited his garden plot
To see his flowers and check on the spot
To enjoy its scenery and scents of various sorts
I will have pleasure peace and comfort.

There are red and white paper flowers
Guarding the garden as blooming borders
Parchment like and paper thin but real ones
It bewitches the visitor and makes one warm.

Bamboo plants block the intervals
Making fence impenetrable and eternal
Hanging bird nests swirl in circles
Sparrows and snipes sing sentimental.

Paths are winding but wide
Bounded by bricks and bloomimg flowers
One can walk softly on the sandy white
Rose and jasmine scent the air.

Daisies, dahlias, daffodils abound
Birds and bees frolicking around
Cuckoo, cockatoo and cocks cooed
It is a place of pleasure so cool!

Men, women, girls and boys throng
Some of them were playing around
Some were found sitting under the shade
They were eating picnics they had made.

Some were sleeping under the trees
Others were catching the bees
A few were fly-fishing free
Many spectators found them funny.

This place is good for rest and leisure
One can find peace and pleasure
But you would not find serious literature
So, forget about the serious researchers.

Many people are ready to share their food
They would welcome you to their group
They are friendly and funny but fond to argue
It’s of course a family feud.

The garden has its own beauty
It does not exist in reality
It truly is virtual world
You can forgive and forget others.

Once I lost my ID
I could not enter it easily
I had to call for help early
So I have uninterrupted entry.

Entering it makes me smart
I am always alert
My wife even said as such
It’s good enough.

Sometimes you get pleasure out of it
Sometimes you are in anguish
Other times you want to vomit
Often you like to hit
All the time you miss
Yes, you are an addict
It’s the AMIM website trick!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
10.7.2008

The Unforgettable July

July is the historic month in Burma
Many events happened to remember
Some sad and sordid, other happier
But it’s more historic than ever.

On 7th July nineteen sixty two (1962)
Bloodbath occurred in crimson hue
Bo Ne Win issued order without a clue
To fire Rangoon University students who
Protest against his Government military might
That came to power without a fight
Now diminishing universities and students’ rights
It was really a bloody massacre that night!

He dynamited the Student Union Building
That was the historic monument of the nation
Where Aung San, Ko Nu and others envisioned
Independence of Burma and free education
For people to progress to peace and prosperity
For students to study science and society
For workers to work without worry for welfare
It was the cradle of Burma’s future leaders.

Ne Win had habit of harming historic relics
He destroyed workers’ column with relish
He said it was a monument for communists
He dynamited stone slab for Aung Kyaw’s statute
Where patriotic students used to salute
As Aung Kyaw was killed by British brutes
With mounted horses and baton practice
He fell, cracked his head and was vanquished.

Ne Win even moved the Kyandaw Cemetery
From centre of the city to its periphery
It had tombs of Burma’s heroes and hierarchy
Dr Ba Than, Bamaw Tin Aung and many literati
Even his wife Khin May Than and other Devis
Dagon Khin Khin Lay, Ma Ma Lay and koomari
Thakhin Soe and his rowdy Red Flag followers
Bo Ne Win must be haunted and frightened, I’m sure.


And there is 19th July Martyr’s Day
Burma cannot forget it in any way
Bogyoke Aung San was murdered on that day
Eight of his followers were also slay
It was grave, gloomy and godless day
The court found U Saw and his lackeys
Guilty without reasonable doubts, they say
U Ne Win and his cohorts’ roles were also in play.

On the brighter side, July is jolly
It’s in Burma raw and very rainy
Fruits and flies fight with families
Mango and mice mix maliciously
Boys and girls frolic in water merrily
Dagon Taryar’s lovers locked hands lustily
Buddhist monks lie in lent languidly
It’s time of year to spend time silently.

Many bright persons were born this month
Princess Diana denoted dainty and dalliance
George W Bush is US President of war in defiance
Dalai Lama and Mandela grace the great grant
Hawthorne and Hemingway were in literary front
Dr Mya Tu led Burma medical research giants
Yours faithfully is also not to be left relent
He heals, he teaches, he writes, time well spent.

July was named after Julius Caesar
He was honored by his nephew Czar
Augustus by adding his name and Caesar’s
Thus he added two months to the year
So we have 12 months instead of ten here
Gregorian calendar has changed for ever
10th month December becomes 12th in number
People accept it, a whopping world wonder.

So, how do you like to look at July?
As a month you want to cry!
Or a time you want to ply
In a boat with your sweetheart
Picking Thabye Thi and eat smart
Or observing Buddhist Sabbath
Or read and write to your heart content
In any way it will be a time well spent!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo (5.7.2008)