Then the Kids Yell

I wake up at eight

Potter about in the garden until nine

Then the kids yell

"Time for breakfast, Ah Ma!"

I drink a cup of Milo and eat some toast

Settle down and read the papers

Then the kids yell,

"Time for lunch, Ah Ma!"

I sit at the table

Fried mee and chicken soup before me

But my favourite sambal is missing

They forgot to buy it from the market

I finish off with warm water and a piece of papaya

Then the kids yell,

"Time for your afternoon nap, Ah Ma!"

I don't feel like napping

But they insist I must sleep

I read the papers again and finally fall asleep

Then the kids yell,

"Time for tea, Ah Ma!"

Is it already four o'clock?

They bring me more Milo and kueh

I take a walk in the garden to stretch my legs

I sit there for some time and watch the setting sun

Then the kids yell,

"Time for dinner, Ah Ma!"

This time rice with chicken curry

Someone has bought ice kacang

We sit and eat it while watching TV

Then the kids yell,

"Time for bed, Ah Ma!"

I don't really want to go to bed

Why can't I go into town and have some char koay teow?

But they insist I am tired and should take some rest

So I change into my pyjamas and wash my wrinkled face

Oh-oh, where are my glasses?

What the heck, I'll find them tomorrow

They tip-toe out of my room satisfied

and switch off the lights

As soon as they've gone, I switch on my bedside lamp

and read a book

Then the kids yell,

"Go back to bed, Ah Ma!"

Kids! Why can't they leave an old woman alone?

I don't mean to be angry

I know they think they're doing what's best for me

But all I want is to be myself

To live life at my own pace

Will they understand one day?

(I wrote this in 2012 on an inspiration from Mum)