Recollections of a Wedding

RECOLLECTIONS OF A WEDDING
( many , many mornings after )


Let me try to remember
the wedding on the first of September
an early afternoon rain
did not cause a traffic strain.

Like a Shoalin monk with a shaved pate
at the entrance Hun Soon wait
to welcome family, friends and working mates
Hun Soon in a crimson Chinese jacket
with enormous pockets for the ang pow packets
Li Li was kept busy
amidst the bustling crowd and conversation noisy
She was up on her feet
making sure the guest had proper seats.

Elegant Saroja in a satiny sari
with Indran came to make merry.
Thirty years and thirty pounds later
Indran has filled up looking much better

Ashok and wife in colour coordinated outfits
took pictures of old friends he did meet.
Khaw Boon Swee looks fit and muscularly trim ,
has he been pumping iron at a gym ?
Bincy Tan now based in Klang
has lost his native Trengganu twang.

Su Kian Tat and Pek Lian are proud of the sons they beget
A pharmacist and a doctor will make any parent glad.
Tennis keeps Su slim,
he tells me this with his characteristic grin.
I introduced my second son to Michael Samy our obstetrician
who Mike had delivered by caesarian section.

Looking suave in a suit came Bachan and his beautiful wife
like a couple of Bollywood actors on Rodeo Drive.
Lum Siew Kheong from Kajang did come by
in his black suit and black bow tie .
When this father of three entered the room
I mistook him for the groom !
Eugene Leong and his wife make up a fine young pair,
looking youthful with his head of thick black hair !


Rohaya with a head of gold
and her mischievous smile from her convent days of old.
Some guys had Adam Chow in quiet conversation
Chit chatting ? Or a quick consult on erectile dysfunction?
Chooi Weng Kwong does not seem to age
so does Choy Kai Meng , a shared heritage ?
Lim Boon Kang youthful and fair
would be a good model to sell any product for skin care.

Emily and Koon Seng came after church service
Looking serene with inner peace
For this meeting of old friends they will not miss.
Koon Seng is a quiet new man
with a strong religious stand.
For his everlasting life he has found his Saviour.
In this physical life he has no more fear.
Several life emergencies he has survived,
grateful to God for the reprieve .
With his churchman Sng Kim Hock
on other life miracles we did talk
Sng is proud of his 3 children’s musical talent
and he himself is taking violin lesson.

Steven Chow in his batik of multicoloured hue
sat at a back table and enjoyed the view
of Kong Chiew Meng making the rounds
meeting up with friends from out of town.
Nurul and Kow Chye all the way from Ipoh
shook hands with Seremban Ho Min Foh
Chan Kheng Kim smiled and grinned
as he met up with Foo Ong Pin.

The climatic strain of the eighteen twelve overture
marked Yin Mei and Randy entry into the hall.
They were met with the bursting light of digital capture
amid applause from one and all .

Li Li had 2 pre-dinner tasting of the food
to make sure the food was good.
Tasty dishes and fine wine put us all in a merry mood.
Daily swims gave Hun Soon a very long breath
to call out “ Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmm….” that left the younger
people out of their depth.
Hun Soon’s son Yin Sern joined the band
he strummed his guitar and sang .
Oh boy he could really sing
to celebrate his sole sister’s wedding.
Randi's relatives and friend sang many happy songs
made us clap our hands and sang along.
Yin Mei choking with emotion thanked her extended family
new in-laws , old school friends of whom there were many.
Randi ‘s smile stretched from Boston to here
as he gave his wife an attentive ear.


We bid the young couple all happiness as we said goodnight
and took home little red gift boxes of chocolate delight.

Hun Soon Li Li cha boh kia ka win
Ee lang knor lang boh eng boh eng
Ang kah boh hwa hee lu lang lai
Chak pui lim chu kwa ee ay kia sai
Ee ay kia sai ang moh lang
Hun Soon Li Li penang lang.
wah kong koh su hor lu tia
wah ey mia ya yia.

Should you be irritated
by this tale that I narrated
then in all sincerity
please accept my apology.

yahya sofi

20th September 2007