The Bliss

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

When I was a school boy in Monywa

I read the writings of Theikpan Maung Wa

Articles, anecdotes and criticisms of literature

What I liked most was the “Bliss”, a short saga.

(Theikpan Maung Wa in the Khit San Pon Pyin Mya)

He was then a township officer in training

Just returned from England with ICS for gaining

A full-fledged ICS, elite and English-like with power

A golden prince just fallen from the sky of Devata!

(Thanbuddhay Cedi in Monywa)

What did he do then? Every day arisen

Took a shower and ate English breakfast at seven

Chauffeured to the Commissioner Office every morn

Studied the British Bureaucracy in Burma at its norm

Shared lunch with officers and commissioner to nurture

He become a cogwheel of the British Empire to further.

(Theikpan Maung Wa)

He played golf in the afternoons

In the company of civil officers and tycoons

Sharing small talks and tidbits about the people

The Queen, the Prince of Wales and his retinue

Never politics, but just about the people who ruled

Then, he would enjoy a sumptuous dinner through.

(Sagaing Kaungmudaw Pagoda)

There were so many invitations for lunch and dinner

Every father of the bride- to-be tried to be a winner

He was then the most eligible bachelor in the region

He did not have time to accept all such invitation

Let alone agreed to the proposal for a particular bride

He just had to relax with whiskey and laughter at night.

(Mandalay Moat, Fortress and Hill)

Such was the bliss of Maung Wa

I always admire his vivid saga

Now, I’m having similar happiness

A windfall that I have not expected

By resting from the rigors of rowdiness

I thus soundly slept!

(Away from the barking dogs, I say not!!)

(Chindwin River at Sunset in Monywa)

Thus I no longer hear the voices

Those were not the nicest

Coming from half-baked people

Unheard of etiquette and manners in full

Like six blind Indian boys and an elephant

They are also sick, sinister and delinquent.

(The Ananda Temple in Pagan or Bagan)

Some could not differentiate a joke from a jeer

They thought habits of a Chinese mother very clear

Racist view of a censure like a yellow banana

But, these jokes are all to see in the bloggers’ world

Like sparkling twinkling stars in a darkened night

It just shows their guilty conscience and inner fright.

Some did not know signs and symbols

Like a cross so simple

That may denote Jesus Christ or Red Cross

But surely it’s not medical symbol so gross!

As the staff and the snake has been

It‘s world wide logo for the medical profession.

(University of Medicine Mandalay, IMM, Logo)

(University of Medicine 2, Yangon ,IM2, Logo)

(University of Medicine 1, IM1, logo)

Many have left the country of their birth or upbringing

They have prospered in the country of adoption

But they have not been fully assimilated

They feel they are segregated or intimidated

That are projected to people for telling the truth

They thus would resort to foul language and abuse.

(The Myazedi Stone Inscriptions)

Some accused me of failing them

When they were sitting for 2^nd MB exam

That I failed many of them in anatomy

Not telling many who passed and got D

But the crux of the matter is that

Exam results are decided by boards held.

(Scene of Pagan or Bagan, Burma)

Some growled that I was anti-student

How could a teacher be so mutant?

All teachers are student lovers

They sacrifice for their learners

Like a nursing mother dog to her litters

Teachers look after students even bitter.

(King Kyanzittha or Htihlaingshin)

Some even accused me of anti-Chinese or racist

As though I’m a staunch Burman chauvinist!

How wrong they are, never so erred

Many of my friends are Chinese, Sir

Some of my teachers are of Chinese blood

Chinese leaders and sages also earn my regard.

(Shwezigon Pagoda in Nyaung U, near Pagan, built by Kyanzittha)

Some accused me of being a communist

For defending Mao and socialism in polemics

When someone says everything bad about China

Of course, it’s wrong to blame any one personna

Mao was not Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great

He was just a leader of the Chinese Communists at stake.

(Portrait of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square)

Some wanted to shoot me down as in OK Corral

Gun to gun and bullet to bullet as in a Western duel

But I’m not a cowboy asking for their head or heart

I was in fact teaching and preaching like a Boddhisat

How could they shoot me in blatant bullish anger?

I’m a man pointing to a country without censor!

(Buddha Statue in Pagan)

Some even challenged me in question and answer

Like in a court of law putting me in witness stand to endure

Masquerading as a mild mannered motherly reporter

In fact she was a suicide bomber marauder for ever;

A friend warned me of her ulterior motives

I was saved in a matter of impending minutes.

(Shwedagon Pagoda)

Some still blame me for citing patriotism often

That I used to take refuge under the country haven

Without empathizing with the expatriates refugees

But what is wrong with my strategy or sincerity?

I have a country to love and I must defend her

It’s sincerity and attitude that matter ever!

(Quacking Cracking Ducks in a Stream)

I do not take any offence they all made

It’s the norm of nature in all grades

From quiet censure, back bites and open verbal warfare

That a preacher, teacher or a leader encounters

When the truth is uttered without break

All culpable criminals will be in rancorous rage.

(Drs MMN and NOM at FMHS, UNIMAS)

Now I take refuge in my private world

Far away from the noisy and naughty dulls

Far from the maddening crowd, so to say

I have peace of mind and plenty of play

Reading, writing, eating and sleeping sound

I’m really enjoying and satisfied with this round!

(The Shane Movie Poster)

Some called me to come back like Shane

It’s a Western film entitled with the good name

When the bullies, bastards and bulls were tamed

By a sincere simple straight shooter called Shane

Played by Alan Ladd who disappeared after the fight

But, I’m not him and would still be there after the respite!

(A Water Hyacinth Flower, Ma Beda, Pan Pan Hlet Pe)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

September 4, 2009 (original)