When I Call You Home

When I Call You Home

Written Originally by Jennifer Soh Li Wen, 12^th January 2012, Thursday, 10:52 a.m.-11:52 a.m., In My Middle Room, University Heights, Specially Dedicated to My Appreciative Neighbour, Peter Soh Weng Khai.

Time,

Runs a mime;

Precious as dime,

Now is prime.

This first semester,

Here in USM;

Started last September,

Now it is coming to an end,

How busy I am,

Only went back twice a sem;

The hour-glass flows its sand,

I miss my home,

Deeply my heart sank.

Home,

Why are you home?

You give me hope,

You make me not alone,

Home,

What makes you home?

You do not look like Rome,

But you are as strong and tough as chrome.

This Chinese New Year,

I cannot hesitate to go home;

This Dragon Year,

I carry my green kebaya home.

This semester,

There is so much to challenge;

It makes me bolder,

In and out I am strengthened.

At home in one trip,

Then another trip;

I gained a relationship,

I lost a friendship.

People come and go,

Life goes on;

You reap what you sow,

Let the days of bygone be bygone.

For my Valentine,

I will make it mine;

A new kebaya with a shine,

Especially for my dearest so fine.

My tradition is my obligation,

My family is my perfection;

My home is my resuscitation,

My dearest is my affection.

The reunion dinner,

This Chinese New Year;

The Water Dragon Year,

Mom is the winner,

Dad is the breadwinner,

Sister is the thinker;

I know I will not get thinner.

I will make sure I am fit,

For my next kebaya;

Bak gua I will still eat,

I simply love my Raya.

I am aiming for white,

The colour for my kebaya biku;

With the scallop (ombak) neckline so bright,

The sleeves are as beautiful and smooth as haiku.

For the first day of the Chinese New Year,

My red samfoo is already waiting for me;

Prosperity I shall bring specially for my family,

I humbly kneel down to pang teh to my parents for a good year.

I thank God for creating the special me,

The appreciating tradition me;

The more I age,

The more I appreciate,

My beautiful heritage,

My performances on stage;

My kebaya collection will not be caged,

For none is meant to be a forgotten vintage.

I cannot hesitate to go home,

I miss my beautiful family;

I shall start preparing and packing,

I shall look as good as gold.

My reunion with my family,

It means so much to me;

I do not have to be a hypocrite,

I just eat what I want to eat.

There must be a reason why you are home,

It is when I call you home;

I know you are my own,

And look how much you have grown!