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Blue flowers plucked
Nyona bak chang** moments;
Satisfying rice cakes


By this old fence
Echoes of giggles;
Laughter mocks schoolyard


Road diversion
Roundabout detour;
Long cul de sac


Wedding festivities
Details and stuff;
Final agenda looms


Joy wears a face
Celebration evokes;
Certain gratification


Flame of the Forest tree
Nice shady bough;
Rain drops seeping


This old site
Venue of past demeanours;
Regret and guilt linger


Windy day
Hair reconfigured;
Unkempt spikes


In sure fashion
Nothing stays the same;
Change interferes


Wind howling
A haunting refrain;
Ghostly echoes cry


New instance
Go the distance;
Ply resistance


Do not be
Afraid of fear;
It's just an old gripe


Old apartments
Need a facelift;
Time weathers pains



Leon Enriquez
03 August 2014
Singapore


(Notes: Nyona bak chang** -- 
The word "Nyona" means a Straits born Chinese lady
with the social graces of a genteel sort, who are
known as a Nyona from a distinct group called the
Peranakans, who have a mixed heritage of Chinese and
Malay customs and traditions. This is today a dying breed.

The word "bak chang" means a cooked food product
made from glutinous rice with a centre filled with
sweet pork meat, spices and sauce, and chestnuts, packed in 
long leaves in the shape of a pyramid tied with strings.
Such delicacies are steamed until the aroma fills the
air and makes you desirous to eat these tasty morsels.

The natural tinge of blue colour on the glutinous rice comes
from the "blue flowers" freshly picked for use in these rice cakes. 
My maternal grandmother was a Nyona lady who had 
a big heart, a warm smile and who loved me very dearly.
I miss her smile though she died when I was only four.)

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