Original Burmese

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English Translation

Came back home in the dark one night
Parked the car and sat still
KS 95 playing an Ed Shearan song
embraced the little cocoon I was in
danced with my love
barefoot on the grass
like the romance novels I once read
in my youth.
I’ve missed my hugs
for too long a decade.

Shut off the engine
exited the car.
Alas! There’s snow on the ground.
Carried my baggies and little parcels of food
Trekked along snow covered pavers
…………in haste.

Suddenly realized
no keys to enter!
Rummaged thru’ the pocketbook
toiletries, pens,
envelopes stuffed with papers
medicine, wallet with cards,
even a sewing kit
everything
‘cept the house key.

Hesitantly
rang the doorbell
waited…….
Nothing stirred.
I called my love on the phone
several ringtones
almost to the point of messaging
A groggy voice answered
“What?”

“Forgot the house keys”
I whispered.
He hung up.

Waited several minutes
and started to shiver.
Then saw the lights flicker
my love trudged down the stairs
…………slowly.
Noiselessly the door opened
and I went in,
carrying little parcels and baggies
one by one
from the snow outside.

He went back upstairs
…………in silence.

I took off my shoes, hung up my coat
placed food in the fridge
for tomorrow’s meal.

Then,
I picked up my handbag
shut off the lights
and slowly
walked up the flight of stairs
………..in silence.

K.T.M.

Mimi Oo has worked in Saint Paul for more than ten years professionally as well as with the refugee community. She wrote “The Month of Ramadan” in tribute to her grandma and parents, in hopes that the poem will serve as a vehicle for the immigrant and refugee Islamic community to fill their void and create new traditions in their home called “Saint Paul.”

Posted in: Poetry