A Positive Thing for Burma

A Positive Thing for Burma

A friend called me a cynic
Because I told everything negative about Burma
After coming back from her this year
He further said I was lucky for not being arrested there.

In reality, I found many positive things in Burma
People smile whenever they see you there
They are not hostile and apathetic with you ever
They don’t show snobs, sobs, taboos or jeers
But they offer you help in small things or bigger
They would even share their food, drinks and shelters.

Once in Rangoon’s airport customs gate
They searched every one for contrabands and foreign-made
But, on seeing my name on my luggage as a doctor
They let me go without searching thereafter
They said,” You are a people’s writer we respect”
They even carried my suitcases to the outlet gate.

One day, an old student of mine came to see me
On hearing that I was in the Rangoon city
He paid homage to me with money
So that I could use it for small things and taxi
How clever and cute he is for his Ar-sa-ri (teacher)
It is according to the Mingala Sutta of Buddhism.

A group of anatomists also paid homage to me
By offering a luncheon at the Duck restaurant willingly
They talked, kowtowed, they laughed and photographed merrily
They gave presents and exchanged addresses happily
They thought they were at medical school in their twenties
It is a sign of Burmese culture, civility and courtesies.

Old students of the Mandalay Hall of the Rangoon University
That famous hall where collegian Ne Win and footballers studied
Also entertained me to a brunch with past three wardens
It was of sour Shan rice, soup, fried tofu, plain tea and Sanonmaken
So pleasant and happy were the old Mandalay Hall residents
They talked, they joked, and shared their experiences.

One day in the morning
We went a government office in Yankin
Every one as greeted us with smiling
We got what we want within an hour
They were courteous, kind and able workers
They said they had to forget their difficulties and pressures.

I would therefore say most people in Burma are good
They are polite, sweet and helpful, much better than they should
They smile more, they help more, they look after others more
Is it because all are living under the same conditions full of woes?
Yes, the Burmese people are relying themselves more and more!
It’s a good sign, a positive thing for Burma, to grow
For the people are the greatest asset of a nation, is it not so?

Composed by Dr Maung Maung Nyo (3.4.2007)
Dr. Maung Maung Nyo composed this poem for AMIM first anniversary.
AMIM = Alumni Myanmar Institutes of Medicine