Cheng Beng

yesterday was cheng beng the chinese all souls' day i was struck by late grandma's friends for the first time they are all so young at the right was a cheerful young boy - the picture was ingratiating and great at the left some young women churchly type. well lucky grandma, has always had young friends for companion, selfishly i told myself. a brood of us eleven in all to call grandchildren and she was always close to church - grew up with catholic nuns. so it should be heavenly at the cemetery in the other world so many young friends to cheer up day and night. the woman at the boy's resting place coincidentally came at the same time as us with weepy eyes she busied herself at the bright mosaic; to and fro, to and fro wiping out last year's tears last year's pain and longing till the little mansion glittered in the sun. her withheld tears too. her husband in a tense reflective mood lighted and relighted windblown white candles as he tried to contain a storm. the realisation that they would eventually black out to leave him again in a storm face to face with his smiling child whose voice still echoes in an empty chamber in his heart day and night. the raging storm spilt over to this side. as birds twitter under the clear blue sky i pray to the holy spirit to bless us all - those standing as well as those in their peaceful chambers - without making any difference.