The last day of her majesty

The last day of her majesty
(ma phaya ei nauk sone nayh)
(A story of 1789 French Revolution)

Through the veils of window
Lo and behold! myriads of roses blooming in the garden
Then, in summer they withered, discoloured and unreddened
Young Japanese cherries were ordered and planted
She sipped the Italian vintage wine as wanted
So asleep in the lap of luxury
She is that famous French queen Marie.

Her dresses
Were made of silk and satin of Sina (China)
So was star-studded shoes from India
So was the coats made of fur
Of foxes that live in the north pole so far
So was ordered from Sahara
The cheese made from the milk of camel mother
To be tasted and devoured with pleasure
In the abode of the king's palace that glittered.

In this country
If people are starving due to famine
No bread to eat and dine
People marched to protest and demanded
"Give us bread, or we'll be dead".

On hearing the people's protest loud and clear
She whispered, "What’s the matter?"
The ministers answered in the din
"They are demanding bread, our queen."
"Then, it's not a problem,
Give them cakes, if no bread left!"
That's her advice not in jest.

In this country
People united and became more powerful
They rebelled and their revolution became successful
They guillotined the king and queen to be eventful
So was the end of the story of unsympathetic and unmerciful!

Dagon Taryar
Translated by Dr. Maung Maung Nyo. (IM2 magazine, 1971)