Migrant's Adventure To A Greener Pasture. Poem by U Win Kyi

I felt very sad,
when I was said,
that my daughter was in a mood....so bad,
wishing to listen the story at the time to go to bed.

I felt very sorry,
when I was told,
that my sons were moody and gloomy,
but I was powerless and couldn't console.

I felt disappointed,
to know the tantrum my kids threw,
to no father they could glue,
because to a foreign country that I flew.

I felt frustrated,
because I was not able to share my kid's smile,
because I was away from them a thousand miles.

I felt depressed,
because I could not take part in their play,
because I was not near to them but far, far away.

My heart almost went wry,
when I learned my kids missed me and cried,
I could not be able to wipe their tears until dry.

My heart cringed,
when I knew that my kids learned to sing,
because I was away out of the reach of hearing.

That was 20 years ago,
I was still young and not that old,
strong in body, eager in mind,
to move to a country where the sun shines,
where the moon is rounder,
pasture is greener,
water is cleaner,
air is fresher,
speech is freer.

In a foreign land I was no better off,
first encountered the cultural shock,
language barrier hit hard and the worst,
home-sickness showed not a bit of mercy,
adaptation was difficult and not easy.

After several years of hard work,
my longing and missing of family came to a stop.
They all emigrated to my place for reunion,
We were happier than winning the lottery by millions.

Now I am happy my children breath the air of freedom,
Now I am delighted my children drink the water of freedom,
Now I am elated that my children eat the fruit of freedom,
Now I am glad that my children talk the speech of freedom,

I left my native country not because I love it less,
but because I love my family more.