SO WHO IS THIS GUY?: A Mother's commitment
by Raihanah Mohamad Mydin
so, who is this guy
you've found for her?
does he know anything about her?
what she look like?
how much she make?
how hot tempered she can be?
how stubborn she is?
does he care?
so, who is this fellow?
you've asked her to meet?
who thinks he can take up
the responsibility
of a wife and later a family,
just maybe?
so, who is this joker?
you want-her to see?
whom she's later expected to attend to
hand and foot
day and night
for the rest of her living years?
August 1993
Raihanah Mohamad Mydin was born in Penang, Malaysia on 25 June 1970. She has a degree in education and is currently teaching at the National University of Malaysia.
FACING-WATCHING-LEAVING: A Daughter's commitment
by Raihanah Mohamad Mydin
Facing this place
Watching all that's familiar pass by
The ghost of past haunts her still.
What has become of that
Unreliable kid? She asks.
Whatever happened to that
Dark, skinny thing? He wanders.
She's gotten through university!
Really? They exclaim.
Now
The same individuals
Are set for her to marry
The assortment of jewelries neatly tucked in the cupboard.
The potential candidate
Nicely groomed for the parade.
The sighs of relief
Wanting to be set free —
All waiting for the simple answer —
Yes!
Is she ready to accept the challenge?
Has she now become anymore reliable,
appealing
and intelligent?
Have they
Ever mattered?
Was given a ring
Upon turning sixteen
By the family.
Has had it on these years
Even when those knobbly fingers
Grew fatter.
Now
Her old one's to be replaced
By a new...
There was a time when
She allowed them
To get under her skin.
Off late, it's becoming a rarity.
She knows it
And so does he.
They do too.
Disappointed, She expects.
But now
As the ring doesn't fit the finger
And the new one doesn't appeal either,
For once
She's prepared to
Not try to
Put it on anymore.
But Simply to walk away to
Find her own.
3 September 1995