Story Of New Migrants (I) Poem by Dr Ronnie Bai

Story Of New Migrants (I)



From four miles of scorching sunshine we stepped
Into the auto-temp supermart’s cool shade,
But my steaming inside could not subside
With one more grocery ordeal we started.

We’d landed on this free land many a week
And old fear was toppling over th’ new thrill
With steady withdraws and deposits nil
Shown on our account with the smiling bank.

With the driving test I was yet to take
And a car to bargain for at th’ car fair,
We had started th’ walk in early Sunday air
Scuffling wife and son in my straining wake.

I’ll buy you a big big bottle of chilled Coke
To my son I’d said, and choc-chip ice-cream
For you, my dearest wife, her face abeam,
And for us all tonight beef steaks to cook.

Now in the super cheap supermart we stood ⎯
Stealthy sweat was streaking down my burning face
As my wife and I compared th’ silent price,
Converted to th’ old currency, of each food,

Yet in my son’s eyes I was still a giant,
Carrying a huge empty basket down th’ aisles
Between dwarfing shelves with waltzing smiles
(Against petrifying goods I was defiant) .

At the butchery we scoffed and didn’t stop,
At th’ open-top freezers we were laughing,
My wife and son each other’s hand holding,
Beyond th’ drinks pallets we saw more to shop.

Shielding against th’ checkout girl’s eyes piercing
Th’ sack of flour I held in front of my chest;
My son released clutch on the Coke in jest,
Having heard my wife and me whispering.

I looked away. In trembling mother tongue
I swore that I’d buy him an entire store,
First with employment resolved theretofore.
Count you on that, Dad, he whimpered, ere long.

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