My Regrets

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I regret that I have never become a monk
Meditating and making meritorious deeds
No need to conform to society and stunt
I don’t dance to the tune of material needs.

(Ledi Sayadaw, The learned Monk and Master
of Meditation)

I regret that I have never become a political leader
Who could sway the country and change over night
Without bloodshed and bigotry as a bright teacher
To make the country developed with might.

(Nelson Mandela Leading the South Africans)

I regret that I have never belong to a ruling party
Wielding power and leading the people for a cause
Greater than themselves as the hallmarks of an Arzani
I have to lay down my life for the country or belief of a sort.

(Bogyoke Aung San and Martyrs of Burma
for Independence)

I regret that I have to leave my country
To escape from the quandary and sundry
Of kindred social ills and decadent culture
That permeates in Burma without nurture.

(Map of Burma or Myanmar)

I regret that I cannot do any thing
To correct calamities and caveats seen
Health education economy and jobs
They all have gravitated down for sobs.

(Profssor Ruth Bowden and Me)

But I’m alive and well
I could still write and tell
What I want to with a zest for life
I do not regret I’m a Burman, right!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
28.08.2010 (Original)

Note: Arzani = Martyr, Hero

My Fortune!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I did not know how to swim
But I could well in my dream
So I plunged into River Chindwin
Imitating elders exhibiting in the stream

(River Chindwin at Monywa Full Water)

Sinking like a solid stone
My sister shouted for help alone
I was saved by a strong swimmer
I never become a daring dreamer!

(A Ferry in River Chindwin at Monywa)

It happened at the age of ten
Many mishaps happened then
I remember riding a crowded bus
Picnicking students Maymyo high up

Our bus loosening a wheel
We all saw it falling free
Singing students shouted in high pitch
Driver stuck the car to mountain ridge.

(A Map of Monywa and Upper Burma; a to Shwebo,
b to Maymyo, c to Taunggyi, d to Yangon, e to Magwe,
f and g to Chin Hills, h to Pondaung Ponnya,
R1 River Chindwin, R2 River Irrawaddy))

When boarding a plane in America
I heard tapping noise from the rota
I told it to the stylish stewardess
“Not to worry”, she cheered up and said

(Thanbuddhe Pagoda near Monywa)

But the pilot announced, “Engine in trouble”
We had to change to another plane for travel
That plane had to wait for the day
Until repaired fit to fly to be okay.

(Lying Buddha near Monywa, Shwetharlyaung)

Once I was to fly in a helicopter
Carrying the injured from the front line
To the rear for emergency as army doctor
But an order was issued from higher in time

(Entrance to Thambuddhe Pagoda)

I must report back to Yangon in effect
A friend had to take up my duty instead
He was shot at by the rebels on the ground
He said I was lucky to be Yangon bound.

(Thambuddhe Pagoda near Monywa)

I still remember one day in Monywa
At the height of Burma’s civil own war
Rebels lobbed Molotovs and mortars
Across the river into the town corners

(Dr MMN and Dr NOM at Sydney International Airport)

One fell into our house
I heard it loud
But it did not explode when I touched
Police came and defused it after search.

(My Family: L to R: MMN, ESN, NOM, YPN)

One day I was driving my car at night
Crossing the traffic light right
But it was the red light they say
A big bus rammed my car away
Ripping the door on my side
Without touching me slight

(Mahamuni Image in Mandalay)

People marveled at me
“God helped you” or “So lucky to be.”

(Shwedagon Pagoda)

But it was not luck
It’s my lot as such
To be born in Burma
Like so many others

(Yangon's Sule Pagoda at Night)

As Buddhist living simple life
Following the noble eight ways right
Enjoying the rare chance of being human
Living the rare life in the Buddhist lumen

(Bodh Gaya in India)

Paying respects to the Triple Gem
I believe it’s the fortune I have then!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
16.8.2010 (Original)

My Possession

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I get up early in the morning
To help my wife go to her calling
Of duty at the medical school
I prepare my self and car ready too.

(Dr MMN in his "Possession" Today,9.7.2010)

She treats me with coffee and toast

Or steamed sticky rice and pea the most

For breakfast for both served every day

I enjoy it like an Anyarthian as they say.

(Proton Sedan 2009 Model)

I wear the well-pressed trousers blue and black
Put on the blue long sleeve shirt branded to match
Tying the black dotted snake-skin tie as a set
The shining black leather belt forms the catch.

(Dr MMN & Dr NOM at UNIMAS)

I then wear the bright shining black shoes
With a pair of cotton and synthetic socks too
Spraying a sprinkle of scented perfume on the head
A Parker ballpoint and Ray-Bun spectacles complete my dress.

(Yupar Nyo, NOM and MMN in Sydney)

But, I think of what I possess while driving
A latest model Proton Sedan to my liking
Bought by my wife for her daily going
It’s I that is just enjoying and following.

( Dr MMN, ESN, NOM, YPN)

True, my clothes were bought by my wife
My elder daughter presented me quite
Black leather belt and spectacles to feel fine
My younger daughter bought the black tie.

(MMN, NOM , ESN at Sydney Airport)

A friend gave me a bottle of Au de cologne
While he was visiting us to relax alone
Shoes and socks are also gifts of the loved ones
Actually I do not possess anything to sum.

( L to R: MMN, Dr and Ms Tin Win, NOM, Dr Tin Moe Nwe,
Dr So lwin)

True, my body was given at birth by my mother
My manners and manliness bestowed by my father
Whatever education I have, imparted by my teachers
My philosophy and patriotism belong to our political leaders.

( Dr MMN, Dr NOM, Dr Lucy Kya Mya, Dr Saw Aung Hla Win)

So I don’t possess even my bloated body at best
Bestowed by my mother and to be burned at death
Just a pile of organic and inorganic matters in fact
I realize I’m no body possessing nothing to be left

( Dr Htwe Htwe Sein and Dr Wai Wai Shein)

Oh! I say, “Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta”
I kowtow to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
9.8.2010 (Original)