My Five Fateful Crises

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I was fond of fun and frolics while young
Continued frolicking with friends for fun
Even past several hours for school run
I was soundly beaten by my angry Mum

(Thambuddhay Cedi, Monywa)

Changing my clothes fretfully for school
She led me with a cane in hand through!

(Elephants Guarding the Entrance to Thambuddhay Cedi)

It was when I started kindergarten class
Learning alphabets and arithmetic art
I got them by heart way ahead in class
Both in tests and exams I always stood first
Teachers promoted me every six months
It made my Mum proud and dance!

(Poet at Age 13 Years)

The love of learning is instilled in me since young
Trying my best to stay at the top always as fun
Yet friends and fun always remain a part of my life
I never become a boring bookworm or nagging knight
Thinking oneself as the best and brightest of the lot
Out of touch with reality and scheming to be lord!

(L to R: Dr MMN, U Kyaw Shein, Dr Thein Aung, Saya Nyein,
(Dr Khin Maung Win)

When I passed premedical matric exam in 1955
I could go to senior inter for medical as a right
But I was lured by Aung San, U Nu,Then Pe and like
Nearly switching to political subjects for a fight
My father and teachers intervened and advised
That I go straight to premedical inter course as choice.

(Dr NOM and Saya Dagon Taryar)

Thus I became a doctor for nearly 50 years
Treating the sick, alleviating the pain and tears
Risking my own life to save the injured at front line
Operating under gun fire to save lives on time

( MMN and Dr Thein Nyunt or Nyunt Wai, Katha)

Then switching to postgraduate study for a Ph.D.
I voluntarily relinquished richness opportunity for me!

(Maung Maung Nyo M.B., B.S., Ph.D. London July 1969)

By that I’m the first Burmese Ph.D. anatomy from London
I was appointed a professor as the youngest at random
Able to start the first postgraduate course in anatomy in Burma
Having trained over thirty or forty anatomist doctors further
Besides teaching hundreds of medical and dental students
I taught future consultants and write to be a writer of influence!

(L to R: Mr Kanti Kumar, MMN, U Thein Sein, U Win Pe,
Mr Mulk Raj, Tekkatho Sein Tin)

On my retirement at the age of sixty
Minister Dr Kyaw Myint came quickly
Asking me to continue as an advisor's life
At a meagre miserly monthly pay of'slight

(MMN and Dagon Taryar)

I denied it for my daughters’ education and future
They are now educated, and settled down for sure.

(Yupar Nyo admitted to the M.Computer Engg. at the UNSW)

During the 1988 countrywide protests and strikes
Appeals and advice came from both sides
To take part and if possible to lead the fight
Against tyranny injustice and BSPP out right
I had to decide to remain apolitical or other wise
A colleague stopped me from marching on sight.

(Ei and Aung Myo Kyaw's Wedding at the Sedona Hotel)

Tekkath Phone Naing was thrown into politics like that
He eulogized thousands of Aung San on strike in fact
He was sacked from rector post on coming back
Some were retained but asked to do things SLORC said
They became stupid stooges of scheming SLORC boss
They forfeited their names and services for ever lost.

(Saya Paragu in the Middle)

I’m a lover of literature, poetry, medicine and life
“Medicine is my wife, literature my lover,” right?

(Saya Paragu Greeing the Groom's Parents)

It was Chekov who said the epithet so clear
I’m fortunate I could indulge in both so dear
More fortunate to have my wife Nan Ommar chartered
She helps me in both literal and other activities smarter.

(MMN, YPN, ESN, NOM at Home)

Indeed I have met many lovely ladies in my life
At school, university, medical college and work site
None has been near and dear to me as my wife

(saya Paragu Speaking at MMN's Home)

One may be prettier or wealthier but not as bright
Another my be smarter or saucier but not as right
After all, my wife suits me best as my first choice!

(NOM, YPN, ESN, MMN)

So I have stated my five fateful crises
As being the blessings in disguises
First truancy as I was beaten by my mother
Second to forego medicine and take politics as cover

(Aung Myo Kyaw and Ei Sabai Nyo with Dagon Taryar's Poem)

Third my refusal to work government advisor post
Fourth I did not join politics all along the course
Fifth I chose my wife out of so many ladies in sight
I value above all else my wife as the most right!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
19.9.2010 (Original)

Myanmar, Myanmar Everywhere!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I went to Kuala Lumpur the other day
To renew my passport and extend the stay
We flew from Kuching hearty and hale

(L to R: Drs MMN, NOM and Lucy Kyaw Mya at
the Kuching International Airport)

But our taxi had to drive dangerously like dart
To arrive at the Burmese Embassy first
We had to put up the papers just fast.

(Dr Nan Ommar in front of the Myanmar Embassy)

Many people made us way for us
They let us put our application first

(Dr NOM inside the Myanmar Embassy for Paper Works)

Many smiled at us or waved heir hands
We did not know who they were and
Why they were smiling so much
I knew later it was as such

(Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur)

My name printed on my suit case
Some recognize me too as an old face.

(Dr MMN in front of the Corona Inn hotel in K.L.)

The officer called my name loud to issue passport clear
The crowd responded as “Dr Maung Maung Nyo is here”
Some came and called my name again to prove
Their consent for issuing me first as suit

(The Dutch Church in Melaka)

(Drs MMN and Nom at the Stadthuys or Dutch Square)

My status a senior citizen and contributor in writing
They came and told me so by describing
Their gain in knowledge from my books
I know their appreciation by their looks.

(Drs MMN and NOM on the Tricycle )

In the evening we walked around window shopping
My wife chose one item after another while trotting
She ultimately fell in love with a handbag in a shop
The sale girl was sweet and smart as she talked

(Dr NOM in front of the Queen Victoria Column)

My wife succumbed to her charm and voice
She bought a high priced bag as very nice
The girl thanked her in Burmese calling her "Aunty”
Oh, we then met a lot of Burmese in the quandary.

(Dr NOM in front of a Souvenir Shop with a New Hat)

We then went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner
Having decided to eat the rare dishes as winner
Ordering sweet and spicy frog dish as shown
By the hostess in red as its own

(The Maritime Museum in Melaka)

A tall girl with a smile came to supply the hot soup
Asking us in Burmese,” How are you” in Mandalay mood
My wife commended her cultured manner
I still see her beautiful smile wider and grander.

(Admiral Chen Ho Statue in the Museum of History and
Ethnography in Melaka; Ho was a Muslim Panthay.)

Oh, we met Burmese everywhere in Malaysia
In restaurants, bus stops , supermarkets and cafeteria
They recognize each other by dint of their speech
They don’t need introduction to seek
Each other’s friendship and support
They got it by holding Burmese passport.

(Dr NOM by a Dug-out Boat in the Museum of H & E.)

I recognize them by their sweet smile and Burmese words
Otherwise they looked frail and funny in foreign garbs
Miniscule men wearing oversized jeans
Reminding me of Chaplin in rags I’ve seen

(Dr MMN in front of Porta De Santiago, Portugese Fortress)

Or Ladies wearing outlandish and gawdy color gowns
They looked like Japanese or Korean clowns
Coincidentally we met such a couple in Melacca fort
I was minded by my wife they were Myanmar stock.

(Dr NOM in front of St. Francis Church in Porta de Santiago
or A'Famosa)

Oh! I met Myanmar everywhere in Malaysia
In Melaka, Kuching and Kuala Lumpur
(Pronounced Kwalar Lampaar)

(Dr NOM in front of the Governor House)

It’s good to see so many Burmese abroad
I hope they can make a living and afford
To live like other working men and women
They live humanly happily even if not too grand!

(Jalan Alor where the Night Bazaar for Food is in K.L.)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
3.9.2010 (Original)