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)