The good brothers speak – Remember and respect

The Coolie Ode
by Fran Yeoh

Here we sit
we chat and smoke
this place is different now
even the island folk.

They pass us by
along the road
can they not see us?
no smile no hello.

We toiled and slaved
as no man should
on this rock in the ocean
we would have left if we could.

The man who fed us poorly
saving money for his gain
gave no thought to his brothers
let his memory be wrapped in our pain.

And men from afar became wealthy
but let us not forget
it is we who dug the rock
no riches for us just sweat.

The price of such tainted coin
was that we succumbed each passing day
to a horrible numbing sickness
whose cause no-one could say.

Hiding in the dense jungle
or escaping out to sea
death would still follow
home was never to be.

Our families are long gone
their bodies turned to dust
they too struggled in their lives
and oh, how they missed us.

If all our tears were gathered
a sad river would have run
we had no choice in leaving them
just turned our backs and it was done.

So far from the long mountain
at times feeling alone
chasing the dragon to drown our sorrows
many fates remain unknown.

But we are at peace now
no pain, suffering or fuss
and we thank you for the memorial
that you thoughtfully built for us.

The sun is now rising
it is our time to go
please think of us kindly
and remember to say hello.