You called me faithfully,

every friday evening

"Hello Ling Ling, have you been good?

When are you coming

to visit po po and myself?

What do you want to eat?"

 

You’ll troop however far and long it’ll take,

bending over half with age.

To buy me what I’d insisted on having:

the powdery white cakes and soft fluffy buns.

You never lamented about,

the ache in your back.

 

You were so glad to see me,

after those wretched A’s.

I saw you tied to the hospital bed

You’ve had a heart attack, fell

and bumped your head.

You thumped your chest and

assured me you’ll live.

 

I am the youngest

of your grandchildren.

The only one in school.

And you believed in me,

when no one else would. 

Told me I’ll pull through the exams.

 

The last time I saw you,

I had just started my summer job.

You were breathing with so much difficulty,

and you drew hard on those

loud last gasps,

held my hands to re-affirm your faith in me.

 

You never got the chance,

to witness your faith in me – 

I’d made it to University.

Your heart stopped pumping

a month too early,

to cheer and rejoice in the news with me.

 

Now I can only stand before your grave,

results in one hand.

At the Pek San Theng Temple –

and recite this poem of tribute to you:

“ To my beloved grandfather,

Gong Gong I love you.”

 

Cadence V. Leigh (2008, 21 Feb)