Red Lanterns

I wanted to write a Chinese New Year themed poem, and I began reminiscing the simpler CNYs I used to have back in my hometown of Sitiawan, Perak where my mother is from. It really hit me while writing this piece how much I missed the CNYs of old.

Red lanterns,
Hung up high,
At 130 Taman Hijau,
All the way past July.

Sparklers,
With cousins who have different last names,
Then fire crackers & rocket bombs,
We were cautioned throwing pop pops at each other's feet was not a game.

Steamed chicken,
Made by Por Por & served at the round table,
Grandchildren fighting for the drumstick,
Risking a stern smack with a ladle.

Mahjong,
The "only for adults" game,
Four people chong-ing away,
Some getting two pieces the same.

Sisters,
Gathered in the familial master bedroom,
Sprawled over each other gossiping,
About husbands, children & prospects that loom.

No more,
The festive feel of this holiday.
Replaced by restaurant packaged meals,
And an altar for filial generations to pray.

No more,
Absolutely solid family time.
Now children have friends & lo sang of their own,
The elders are also no longer in their prime.

Bring it back.
Trade 21 card games for bickering,
The cramming of everyone under one roof,
Instead of fancy schmancy hotel rooms.

Bring it back,
The three hour journey to a hometown so familiar,
Now lost under tourism & development,
And aging parents who don't enjoy the moment.

Bring back the red lanterns,
Hung up high,
At 130 Taman Hijau,
All the way past July.

- SB
9.15pm, 31st January 2016
Ghetto HQ


SB is a conflicted soul of sorts, who is mad enough to go chase after what she really loves as opposed to conform to society and her mother's idea of a successful person. She prays she makes it in life, because she will not be able to tolerate the nagging that would follow if she doesn't. Her inspiration comes from everything around her, as well as made up situations in her head. Good luck distinguishing between the two. 

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