The Brown Eugenia Flower

(Thabyenyo)

(Min Thu Wun)

Lo and behold! Eugenia leaves on his head

I’m also wearing the same on my cap!

Handed down by our mothers in our land

No wonder they are still fresh and fire brand

Never wilting Eugenia leaves, so grand!

Don’t despair for independence, my dear!

The sound of palace drum is approaching near

It’s being carried in the sweet breeze to hear.

When the cock crows in the early morn

Let’s celebrate together on the parade ground

Welcoming the arrival of the palace drum sound

Beating the victory drum galore in aurora around

Wearing the brown Shwebo Eugenia leaves aplomb

Let’s march in might and mane now!

Min Thu Wun (1909-2004)

(1938, England)

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo

27.8.2009

N.B.: (1) Tha Bye Nyo is brown Eugenia leaves that Burmes take as flower.

it's usually regarded as a sign of victory and auspiciousness.

(2) Min Thu Wun was composing the poem in advance of

Burma's independence that he anticipated in 1938 while

studying at Oxford in England.

(3) Shwebo is the birth place of the great King Alaungpaya the

Conqueror of Burma who established the Third Burmese Dynasty.

Such a Simple Saintly Soul

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

My heart leaped up as I was told

She’s coming to visit us from the cold

Like sun suddenly shining amid the gloom

We’ve been waiting for her long to bloom.

(Kuching International Airport)

She was not my daughter or sister

Nor my aunt or elder or teacher

But a colleague working together

Yes, she did all for me as related near.

(Professor Khin Lay Yi Paying Homage to Dr MMN; L to R: Khin Lay Yi,

Dr Min Min, NOM, MMN)

She had been obedient and orderly

Never made a problem for eternity

She taught, sought friendship and welfare

She was successful in all her endeavors.

(Welcoming Prof. Khin Lay Yi at the Kuching Airport n 15.8.2009; L to R:

Drs Saw Aung Hla Win, Khin Lay Yi, Lucy Kyaw Mya, Tin Moe Nwe,

Min Min, Nan Ommar, Maung Maung Nyo, Soe Lwin photographing)

She was loved by her students always

Liked by her colleagues the same way

Her superiors noted her for her courtesy

I like her for efficiency without animosity.

( Dinner on Arrival at the Rock Road Seafood Restaurant)

She was kind to all the poor souls

Would share them with what she holds

Acting like Atlas for treating her old teachers

They are destitute toothless dogs as so retired.

(Diners at Dinner for Prof. Khin Lay Yi)

Her husband is her class mate

But she acts as his mother I take

She sees all his affairs to be well

Even faulted he need not despair.

( L to R: Drs Tin Moe Nwe, Min Min, Lucy Kyaw Mya)

A true mother of Myanmar by her self

A mother goose always ready for help

Her three kids blooming brightly all right

They are always healthy happy in my sight.

( Spring Departmental Store; L to R: SAHW, MMN,Lucy, KLY, MM, NOM)

Yet, misfortune came mightily to her

Struck with severe viral infection

She has her face weak for ever

Her beauty is blighted with inaction.

(At the Rock Road Sea Food Restaurant Where former PM of Malaysia

Dr Mahathir Mohammad Used to Dine)

We’re glad she survived the attack

She can speak eat and dress

On her own as others normally

We wish she live long formally.

(At Kim Hock Lim Restaurant, Taman Heusing, Kuching)

We welcomed her at Kuching Airport

Several suns lighted as she approached

Shining our sympathy and sincerity ever

Six of us swarmed steadfastly on her.

(At Water Front by the Sarawak River, Kuching at Night)

She was shown around the Kuching City

Including the Cat Museum as ought to be

The unique museum in the whole world

Kuching means “cat” in local Chinese Lah!

(On Climbing the Top Spot Sea Food Restaurants Plaza on the Roof

of a six-storey Building)

We shared food together in the morning

Japanese and Chinese menus in all calling

Fresh salmon lobster and hot Chinese cooking

It was sumptuous dinner we are footing.

(In Front of Sushi Restaurant in the Spring Departmental Store, Kuching)

Kuching roads were flooded as we drove about

Khin Lay Yi was always in one of our cars looking out

Cats Column and statues, water front and gift shops

She visited departmental stores and delicatessen spots.

(Farewell to Prof. khin Lay Yi and Daughter Dr Min Min at the Kuching

International Airport on 17.8.2009)

We sent her to Kuching Airport for her ride home

We all felt miserable as she was leaving us alone.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

22.8.2009 (original)

The Treasures of Twilight Hours

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

Early morning I heard the bell ring

It was the home telephone’s din

We thought it was from Sydney

But it was from Lucy for a Yippee!

(Dr Nan Ommar (L) and Dr Lucy Kyaw Mya (R), both Associate Professor

at the Medical Faculty, UNIMAS)

She had cooked the golden sticky rice

That I could have it on this morn’s rise

With tea or coffee as I like

It’s the gift of an old pupil to my delight.

(Chonglin Plaza where we Live)

The other day an old doctor came to me

To pay homage and see

My physical and mental condition

Am I still fit and slim as I used to be?

(Ob/Gyn Consultant D Ma Khin Lay on Extreme Right)

She was Ob/Gyn Dr Ma Khin Lay

Who had learned anatomy in good old day

Gained D on her own effort without help

She studied hard relying on her self.

( Dr Tin Moe Nwe,L, and Her Son (Middle), Husband Dr Soe Lwin ,

Extreme Right with NOM, 2nd L and MMN 4th Right))

Now another phone ring alerted me

I went and held the receiver close to be

Tin Moe informed me of another guest

She is coming to us and rest.

(The Shwedagon Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon)

It is Dr Khin Lay Yee

She would come see me

Dine discuss and mark

Satisfied she would part.

(Dr Tin Moe Nwe's Family and Dr Saw Aung Hla Win,Right)

Tin Moe had arranged for her visit

She would cater well until finish

She also cooked pork leg Burmese way

I could eat it as a delicacy the next day.

(Our Daughters Yupar Nyo and Eisabai Nyo)

Our daughters also called us

Enquiring about our health as such

They’re worried that I may not be strong

But my wife told them how they’re wrong.

(Drs NOm and MMN with New Car)

I was thinking by my self that

On rising in the morn I sit at

Breakfast table and enjoyed food

I go to medical school not on foot

( Drs NOM and MMN)

Driving a brand new car bought by wife

Teaching the students when and what I like

Eating Briyani Rice, Roti or Kolo Mee

Studying and sleeping suiting still

Is the twilight of my life worrying me?

(Drs MMN and NOM at FMHS, UNIMAS, Kuching,Sarawak)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

9.8.2009 (original)

Note: Briyani Rice = Danbauk or Persian Meat Rice

Roti = Indian flat bread to be eaten with curry or anything

Kolo Mee = Si Chet or boiled noodle served with pork slices