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

By the books of an insurance agency tempting me
For a major career-change, a survey was a must
Among new Chinese migrants as a potential market.

Henceforth I looked into the phone book smartly,
And found numbers under the names rare and short
Which surprisingly across pages and pages sprawled.

Yet soon frustrated I was getting with the faltering
Sound of kids their parents’ whereabouts withholding
Until I heard a young woman’s voice bright and brisk

Patiently hearing out my humble reason for calling
She was most upfront and happy as a butterfly
Finally settled down, she heaved a sigh, my hubby and I.

The secret is, she tipped me, suppress your will to go
Sightseeing. Go job-hunting as soon as off the airplane,
Comb through every street of the entire downtown area;

Never mind tramping the whole city, hopping door to door
From one suburb to another. Remember, smelly sports shoes
Are preferred to the loaf of white bread and sweet tap water.

Washing the dishes at the restaurant is to me alright
And as kitchen helper my husband keeps his head high ⎯
Looking at those coming on the same plane, how lucky we are!

Excuse me, Madam. Can I interrupt you here? I ventured.
You wouldn’t mind if I asked what you and your husband did.
The detergent voice paused a second then resumed with vigour –

My husband was a senior surgeon and I a paediatrician.
And I guess you’ll suggest that to a hospital we belong
Yeah, that’s right, but it’s always easier said than done.

You were a professor of English, as you told me.
So, what’s this career change of an insurance agent to be?