yesterday was cheng beng <br />the chinese all souls' day <br />i was struck by <br />late grandma's friends <br />for the first time <br />they are all so young <br /> <br />at the right <br />was a cheerful young boy - <br />the picture was ingratiating <br />and great <br /> <br />at the left <br />some young women <br />churchly type. <br /> <br />well lucky grandma, <br />has always had <br />young friends <br />for companion, <br /> <br />selfishly i told myself. <br /> <br />a brood of us <br />eleven in all <br />to call grandchildren <br /> <br />and she was always close to <br />church - grew up with catholic nuns. <br /> <br />so it should be heavenly <br />at the cemetery <br />in the other world <br />so many young friends <br />to cheer up day and night. <br /> <br />the woman at <br />the boy's resting place <br />coincidentally came <br />at the same time as us <br /> <br />with weepy eyes <br />she busied herself <br />at the bright mosaic; <br />to and fro, to and fro <br />wiping out last year's tears <br />last year's pain and longing <br />till the little mansion glittered in the sun. <br />her withheld tears too. <br /> <br />her husband in <br />a tense reflective mood <br />lighted and relighted <br />windblown white candles <br />as he tried to contain a storm. <br /> <br />the realisation that <br />they would eventually <br />black out <br />to leave him again <br />in a storm <br />face to face with <br />his smiling child <br />whose voice still echoes <br />in an empty chamber <br />in his heart <br />day and night. <br /> <br />the raging storm <br />spilt over to this side. <br /> <br />as birds twitter <br />under the clear blue sky <br />i pray to the holy spirit <br />to bless us all - <br />those standing <br />as well as those <br />in their peaceful chambers - <br />without making any difference.<br /><br />john tiong chunghoo<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cheng-beng/
