Happy Birthday, MarMar

Today is MarMar's Birthday. This poem was written from my memory for my hard working MarMar. I saw her working through the night in the darkroom when she was running her own photo shop. She was developing films and photos at past midnight although she was tired and sleepy. She was running a very successful photo shop in the 70s. This is a tribute poem to my beloved MarMar. May MarMar live her life to the fullest, happy, and healthy. Happy Birthday.

Love In The Darkroom
Love in the darkroom,
Shine like a full moon.
Luminous in the night,
Guiding-light for our future lives.

Her Love in the darkroom,
Never dim nor fickle,
Give us her tenderness and warmth,
Nurtured and cared three of us.

This love is the love of my Mom.
Developing films and photos in the darkroom,
Working from dusk to dawn.
Inspire three of us to study hard.

Now, in her early sixties,
With Papa, their nest is empty,
After three of us got wings to fly and fly high.
But, never forget her love, and our loves are always one.

BaKoGi

Always With Me

Left to right: Julie Hann (US), Myra Sein Mya Mya Aye (Burma), Marigold Wang (US), Cindy Su (Australia), Julia Yang (UK), Austin Su (Taiwan), Winston Set Aung (Burma), Phillip Tseng (US)

Always With Me
With my will, but much against my heart,
We have to part.
My very dear,
Hark my heart with your heart, not your ears.

Should I use up my prime time without
Knowing where I am about?
I have to find a promised land
To flourish my future bright and grand.

Expression of my face may seem
Smiling and laughing, which I am keen.
But you know not my inner-mood;
Sadness of parting, which I brood.

Parting with you hurt me a lot, dear.
Get my little relief with sigh and tears.
Indeed, Parting will never come to me,
As you will always be present in absence with me.

BaKoGi

This poem was composed for my closest friends just before I went overseas on August 18th 1991. I left them with a sad and heavy heart. We had had such a great times together. We were free of worries. But, we had so much dreams for our lives. I still remember this group of best friends as we scatter around the world.

Forever Teresa Teng

Forever Teresa Teng

(Her tenth anniversary of passing on May 8th 1995)

The idol of Chinese and Asian on this Mother Planet,
Especially for me, in my heart, she had planted.
Resonating beautiful, soulful and sweet music and songs,
Every day and night, we listen and sing along.
Singing and listening even when I was feeling very sick.
A bright and beloved star passed away in a flick.
Teresa, I will always cherish the sweet dream.
Every passing day, month, year and ten years now,
Nightingale, please tell me how,
Gone years be filled and the love for you will never dim.

BaKoGi

May 2005

My Office Cat: Blackjack

Captain Blackjack

I do not know, who names this fat and lovely female cat as Blackjack. She always come and greet me every morning. When I say hello, she will say something, which I do not understand, probably saying back hello to me. She eats, she sleeps,......then she eats...she sleeps.....that is her porfolios at the office. But, she keeps all the rats at bay. She body-slams one if she sees one. And, she is good at it. That is why, she is one of the longest working employees of our company.

My Teacher (Sayagi)

His name is U Sein Win. I have known Sayagi for more than twenty years now. I was introduced to him by one of my classmates, Waneta Myint Moe Win while our university was closed by Burmese Government for having a students lead democracy movement in early 1987. I was told that I would be accepted for life if I was recommended by her (or one of the students) and paid a fee of Kyats 300 (USD 6). I went to his home tuition center, I found a notice on the door; stating that no new student will be accepted. Anyway, I went up to see him. He smiled broadly when he saw me. He said, Waneta told me about you already. He gave me a text book and gave me a new English name, Ollie. I told him that I would use my own English name. I left the center as I had a lunch appointment with my cousin, who was going abroad for good.

I was at the center while the whole city was swept with 8888 Democracy Movement. I had had most memorable times during Democracy movement with Sayagi. I was not attending Sayagi's frequently after 1988. But, I always remember Sayagi's Birthday, August 13. And I went to see him and wish him Happy Birthday. Then, I met my closest friend and my future wife while I was riding a taxi to Home for The Aged for a meeting with Sisters for his Birthday's celebration. Then, I also met a lot of other life long friends.

It was Sayagi, who encouraged me to leave Burma and to see the world in 1991. I left Burma for good since then. I went to pay respect and homage whenever I went back to Burma. My wife and I always say to Sayagi to keep healthy and stay alive to see each other again. Our meeting moments were short and a few words were being expressed, Sayagi would know and we knew in our hearts that words could not be enough and moments of looking each others' eyes were sufficed for all our unspoken words.

Moon Lake

Moon Lake
Sitting on the green grass by the Moon Lake,
Opening heart to heart,
Caressing your hair in my bosom,
The night was still young,
The harvest Moon was full and bright,
The fragrance of the flowers was drifting in the air.

It was at the Moon Lake,
Where we met, our usual meeting place,
The Moon on the sky,
Reflecting in the still water,
Ripples in my heart,
Sleepless through the night.

It was at the Moon Lake,
We last met,
The eclipsed Moon on the sky,
Moon Lake surfaced cracked Earth,
Pain rippled in my heart,
Why did I love you so much?

It was at the Moon Lake,
Where The Moon and the Sun appeared in the evening together,
The Sun waned as the Moon rose,
The Moon’d reflect on the Lake,
Love and hope in my heart,
Waiting for you on this full Moon night.

BaKoGi

March 10 2007

One Evening At Sagu

When we were young,
How we started to learn,
ABC.....D ....E..F....G,
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti,
It was so much fun,
Playing under the evening sun,
Mom was helping,
while Grandma was cooking,
Grandpa was resting after the shower,
We, all were waiting for Papa for dinner.

BaKoGi

September 1 2006

Harmonious East

Harmonious East

My heart is filled with joy,
And excitement when Two hands join.
Strive for reconciliation and peace.
Prosperity is what we all need.
Democracy without Prosperity?
Integrity and Unity is our Responsibility.
The wind of Change is in the air.
Proud of whom, who Dares.
Failure for those who hesitated.
Courageous Two will not be intimidated.
Let’s get over this current menace.
Our love and solidity is the herald.
Our Ancestors and our Roots are Chinese.
Praying hard for Harmonious East as we all are Chinese.

BaKoGi

May 2005

Red Flower Rain-紅花雨

Red flower Rain 紅花雨

Red flower blooms,
A heart shape,
Beautifully red.
For you, I'm always here.
I will wait.
Always waiting,
But you’re gone,
Gone with the flower season,
The clouds thicken,
The moon eclipsed.
To the red flower rain,
My broken heart never abandon.


Again, the flower will bloom,
With you here,
Beautifully red.
Wish you are here,
Take a look now,
I am still waiting for you.

I still remember the day,
With your teary, red eyes,
Your beautiful face,
Your enchanting shadow,
Your attractive smile,
Vanished with you.
Together with teary eyes,
Watching the stars in the sky,
How fortunate we met,
I will never forget.
Sway in the rain,
Brace up the wind,
After rain, come a breeze.
Remember me in your heart,
I will never forget you,
Home is where your heart belongs.

I was not aware, this song is a political song in Taiwan till I found youtube clip.

Spirit and Flag

Spirit and Flag

Our spirits are soaring high,
They could reach the sky,
Our hearts are beating fast,
They could score a rhyme,

Our beautiful flag,
Flying proudly on the pole,
Fireworks make the glow,
The victory is on our shore.

BaKoGi
January 12 2008

Christmas of 2007

Merry Christmas to you.
I rang up my father's youngest sister (SayKu) on Christmas eve (New York Time). Sayku had already returned from Christmas morning mass at 10:30 am in Taunggu (Burma), over 10000 miles away from New York City. She was very happy to hear from me, especially on Christmas morning. I was also happy to have the line connected and found her lost phone number, which I had been looking for days. She was not feeling well for two days, and she was hoping to receive phone calls.

Birthday-The Day I Was Born

I called home this morning. Papa said that I should remember how Marmar was in labor pain when she gave birth to me. And also, Papa said I should remember, how Popo was so excited and went riding a bicyle to the hospital in the middle of the night with a termo flask, which was filled with Chinese Herb Tonic Chicken soup for Marmar although she was afraid of darkness and unseen ghosts and sprits. Popo was thrown off the bicyle on the way to the hospital because the streets had no lights. Popo was using the light generated by dynamo. The soup flask was broken and the soup ended on the street. She was very upset about the accident. This accident foretold bad sign. She sensed of Marmar's difficulty in labor. The unborn child might be in danger.

That child is here writing about that accident now.

Popo was a very good playmate and the best grandma. She taught me how to play badminton. She also taught me how to rely on oneself. She was funny. She was a good story teller. She was intelligent and religious. She would bring back new badminton racquets and shuttlecocks from Rangoon. We would play on the street in the evening after school. She would secure her longgyi (Sarong) with belt and wore canvas shoes before we played. We showered after the game. Then, we had our dinner. I would do some homeworks from school. My sister and I joined Popo for some prayers in Hakka before I went to bed. She had taught us how to pray in Hakka. She had shown her great love to us by caring, playing and doing things together. We had done alot of things together. She taught me how to bone a chicken. I would never forget that she made sure I learnt those stuffs as she would be moving to Rangoon with KongKong after he retired in the end of 1980......more to come.

Shame on President Chen Shui-Bian

There goes again with Mr. President, Chen. He has ordered to remove the words "Da Chung Chi Cheng" of late President of Republic of China (ROC), Chiang Kai-shek's memorial hall after renaming as Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall complex. President Chen and his gangs are famous for names changing to post office, International Airport, and in the process of trying to change other "China" bearing government related companies. Mr. President should change his Chinese Surname to something else. Otherwise, he is contradicting hypocrite himself. He got a Chinese name. Well, he has done hell of a good job for stealing public funds during his almost eight years in office. I am sure that he is much richer than before in term of personal wealth. He got a so called foreign diplomatic fund and other unaccounted funds. He got a group of people (including his infamous wife) to help him to achieve his endeavor in self-enrichment. Name changing is just a show. President Chen is trying very hard to distract from real issues and problems, which are going to be a heavy burden for new administration in 2008. Mr Chen is only picking an easy target, which is a dead man's legacy. It is not real Democracy. Has he forgotten that the late president Chiang defended Taiwan from Communist Chinese. Has Mr. Chen defended Taiwan with his life in the front line?

Ah Bian Can?

Ah Bian can do this.
Ah Bian can do that.
Like a four years old kid,
Naming own name like an annoying spoilt brat.

Ah Bian can talk.
Ah Bian can walk.
Like a forty years old baby,
A tortoise shell without its body.

How would you answer your forefathers?
How would you answer to old soldiers,
Who fought a bloody war and sacrifice their families and lives?
Under the Strait, their remains were still laid.

How would you secure peace, security and prosperity?
Fight for a free and an equal Chinese society.
Demand Mainland be democratic.
Engage and negotiate without rhetoric.

Can Ah Bian be serious and visionary?
Ah Bian is for reversionary.
Divide and rule between Mainlanders and Islanders.
Once...our forefathers were Mainlanders.
For the present and future daughters and sons,
National father always be (Another Mainlander) Dr Sun Zhongshan.

Birthday Eve's Thought

Would I be happy?

My birthday is tomorrow.

Would there be any sorrow?

My birthday is tomorrow.

Would I be in a glow?

My birthday is tomorrow.

Would I be loved?

My birthday is tomorrow.

I just want my peace.

My birthday is tomorrow.

BaKoGi

New York City First Snow

First snow comes to New York City today, December 2nd 2007. One and a half inches of snow lays on the sidewalk and the car. The whole street is blanked with white snow. It is very beautiful. It is always good to see the first snow. I espiceally love snow. I hope Julie won't mind it. It is not a walking and talking Snow. I told Julie to walk on snow and enjoy the feeling of the walking. It is so soft to walk on.

I got into an minor accident with an another SUV truck this morning. Julie and T. Win were in the car too. My car plate was broken and the other party, his name is Dave. His car bumper was cracked. The small roads were icy and slippery. It was freezing cold. We went back to Brooklyn to help mother in law moved to first floor. We did some shopping for foods. We got back to Flushing at around 3:45 pm.

AutoDent will fix Dave's car for $678. He will get new bumper.