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?
not even a hello.
We toiled and slaved
as no man should
on this rock in the ocean
we would have left if we could.
Men became wealthy
but not lets forget
it’s we who dug the rock
no riches for us just sweat.
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 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.