From SY: To A Deceased Person You Wish You Could Talk To.

For my last letter, I dedicate this to my maternal grandmother, my por-por. I had written something for my other late grandparents who passed on this  year. It's been about 2 years and I still miss her and the sweet memories she left for me. There are some Malay and Hokkien words in this one.

In a little taman (garden) called Air Itam,
Slightly quiet since it had lost it's charm,
A boisterous, charismatic lady with beauty like Hang Li Po,
It's been two years since we said goodbye to my por-por.

She was ever so popular,
Among the Pulau Tikus marketeers,
Mdm Oon Swee Choo's daily routine,
Making friends, chit-chatting and bargaining.

She loved all her grandchildren,
Our quirks and conversations kept her vibrant,
Each one had a special place in her heart,
She wanted to see all of us before she had to part.

Sheeyen, mah zhai ai ki ban san?
(Swit Yen, do you want to go to the market tomorrow?)
I would say yes and try to sleep by one,
We had our oats while she gets ready to go,
Then the usual Koay Teow Th'ng and Kopi 'O'.

I miss your Assam laksa and Bak Zhang (meat dumpling),
How you make us feel like Hokkien lang (people),
When you teach us to make Ang Ku (mung bean pastry),
And the rempah (spice) for your Guling Hu (fish curry).

Thank you for the moments we shared,
For being proud of us and showing you cared,
Penang is not the same any more,
No more Gor Ji Pek (5-2-8) reunions like before.

- SY
00:48H 18th May 2016
528 Chee Residence




SY is a 'Jacqueline of all trades' who loves wearing plaids.
She doesn't believe in things that fade and fulfills the promises that she made.
She seeks the hearts of the troubled, to be a listener in times when things are doubled.
She's the kind who stands in the gap, who will only call it quits when it's a wrap.

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