The Metaphor

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

A friend was furious

Said it was ludicrous

To call him a banana

He’s a Chinese in America.

I did not know why he’s so angry

Then, I read an American short story

In it, a son calls his father a banana

He’s Chinese outside and White interior.

(Chinatown in Washington D.C.)

I laughed heartily sending out sound

My wife felt curious and looked around

“I like the comparison amusing

Yellow skin outside and white within

A Westernized Chinese in flame!

I don’t see any one to blame.”

(Chinese in America Railroad Construction)

“But some people are sensitive

They don’t like being compared with

Banana or coconut or betel nut”

My wife admonished me clear cut.

(Durian Fruit in Malaysia)

Yes, some are compared to fig fruit

For red lovely colour as the outer suit

But worms and waste stuff inside

They are known as fools out right.

(Coconuts in India)

Some are ugly to look at from exterior

Full of thorns and ugly architecture

But inside it was delicious like éclair

Try the taste of Durian in Malaysia.

(Betal Nuts in Burma)

Still there are beautiful and tasty fruits

Like the mango apple and peach group

But no one compares them to any man

It’s so obvious they’re rare brand.

(Coffee Beans)

I don’t mind being called a nut

Even as coconut, coffee or peanut

Being a Burman bungling about

I’m brown and brawny in and out.

(Lotus Flower in Tranquil Water)

We Burmese pray to 3 Gems

Wishing every one to be friends

“As cool as water, as fragrant as flower”

It’s a good metaphor for all over the world.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

23.10.2009 (original)

Stop the Stars Falling...

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

A friend in Yangon told me

Poet Htilar Sithu has died recently

Many mourned for his departure

He had been a star in Burmese literary world.

(Htilar Sitthu,left and Maung Pauksi, right when

Conferred with Ph.D. in Literature by the Dublin University)

I was saddened by his death

I called a common friend left

Nyunt Way (Katha) in Parami suburb

His son told me he has left for checkup.

(Nyunt Way (Katha) at Home)

I reached him by phone

He was in Singapore alone

He told me in low tone

Htilar died of liver failure

Cancer had so delivered.

(Writer Bhamo Tin Aung)

“What about your health?”

I ventured as I so felt

I should know his condition

He is under investigation.

(Poets Zawgyi and Minthuwun)

“O Buddha! May he live long!

Ageing is so forlorn and strong

Double seven so late

He is of Htilar’s age.

(Minthuwun)

I have seen the stars falling

In the Burmese literary scene

Starting with Bhmo Tin Aung

Through Zawgyi and Minthu Wun

Including Khin Hnin Yu and now

Htilar Sithu all gone

Also Mya Than Tint of Dah Taung

May Nyunt Way (Katha) live long!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

14.10.2009 (original)

Posted on 20.10.2009

26th Happy Birthday Wishes to Ei

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

There’s a Burmese saying “Time flees”

It’s so fast you cannot see like trees

Suddenly I see Ei has reached the age of twenty six

Hooray! Ei Lay, May you be filled with bliss!

(Mother Dr Nan Ommar and Daughters Yupar and Ei on her left)

She was born in a bright winter morn

When birds were singing a sweet song

From the golf course to hospital compound

Father had to fetch OG Myint Maung Maung.

(Dr MMN and Dr NOM with Yupar Nyo an Ei sabai Nyo in Sydney)

He had to perform a Caesarean Section

Without any difficulty or distraction or infection

A beautiful blond baby of Burmese blood

She was delicate, dainty and docile from the start.

(Ei and Yupar with INTI Prize Scrolls and Their Instructor)

But, she is steely and strong in mind

She studied hard with stamina all the time

She passed all examinations with flying colours

She got prizes and citations from her Alma maters

TTC practicing school, INTI College and Uni Wollongong

Her devotion to their ethics and proficiency is still strong.

(Ei Sabai Nyo and Aung Myo Kyaw at Their Marriage in Sydney)

We have never thought she has grown up

We always think she is still a child just for us

But, alas! She has found the prince charming

She is now a mature woman married something.

(Maung Aung Myo Kyaw and Ei Sabai Nyo at Marriage Signing Ceremony)

May she have a good married life!

May she always be on the rise!

We wish her full of happiness and health

We have lots of love and wishes felt

For her to enjoy life

You are always our light!

(Aung Thabye Pan, Eugenia Leaves, for Success)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

13.10.2009 for Ei Sabai Nyo’ BD on 16.10.2009

To the Five Benefactors of My Life

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

“What is this life if full of care

No time to stand and stare...”

I learned it as a school boy

It’s true as I passed the third mile.

(Thanbuddhay Pagoda, Monywa Where I was Born)

I get up early in the morning

Brushing teeth, shaving and bathing

All prepared by my better half

She has been doing thirty years past.

(Mandalay Hill, Fort and Moat Where I partly Studied)

I drive to the medical faculty

A Proton car bought by my honey

She would also buy food for me

I have nothing to worry.

(Rangoon Medical College Where I Studied for M.B.,B.S.)

I do my job at leisure

Teaching speaking and pleasure

Mixing with staff students and administrators

Life has been so good and genial as a visitor.

(A Surgeon and His Son, My Pupils, In Front of the Rangoon

University Convocation Hall, My Alma Mater)

I can use the Internet every time

It is provided without restraint to mine

I can air my opinion freely

I can call and communicate to Sydney.

(Col. Ko Ko Gyi M.B.,B.S., M.D. Board Certified Internist & Psychiatrist,

My Mentor)

I can read what I wish

Medical, technical or politics

Socialist Communist or capitalist

It fits my open mind width.

(Dr Ba Than M.B. (Calcutta), FRCSE, FACS,FICS, My Guru)

Often grateful students came

To pay homage all the same

Offering food and fabrics of fame

Burmese are born for acclaim.

(Me With Professor Ruth Bowden M.B.,B.S., D.Sc.,LRCP, FRCS, OBE,

My Supervisor for Ph.D.)

So I have nothing to worry

Life seems to be orderly

A place to live and dine in company

Nothing more can be said for longevity.

(Me and Dr Nan Ommar B.Sc.(Anatomy), M.B.,B.S., M.Sc. (Anatomy)

So I thank the “Three Gems” and teachers

As they made me mature and leader

Of my life and of others that are near

My parents are the best of my dear!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

6^th October 2009 (original)