An Auspicious Moment
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Thursday, March 28, 2024
Magazine

CULTURE

An Auspicious Moment


By Tin Maung Than JANUARY, 2001 - VOLUME 9 NO.1


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(Page 3 of 3)

At the head of the tutors’ long table, a senior staff member announced, "This is the poet Tin Moe." The tutors all looked up, mouths gaping. Surprise, respect, and affection all blossomed from them, with exclamations of "Oh!" I heard whispers among them. They were completely surprised. Then, at no one’s bidding, all the tutors stood up simultaneously. Right before them was the celebrated poet. Saya Gyan nodded with his usual disarming, quizzical smile. I was pierced by a bolt of astonishment and was thoroughly overwhelmed by the welcome. Here is the poet, the people’s poet, rang in my breast. We were treated to coffee, the warm welcome of Burmese folk. Naturally, they entered into endless nostalgic conversation post-1950 Mandalay University—about friends, buildings, teachers, tea shops and other food shops. After a while we took our leave, going out the way we had come in. This time, the tutors did not all stand up simultaneously. When the beloved poet came before him, the first tutor stood up and then quietly sat down. After that the second tutor stood up and sat down. The tutors stood up and sat down in a wavelike motion. Heads held high, mouths open. Rising up. That’s what the people’s poet is! The wave struck me. It has continued to strike me. It is striking my breast, giving me a soothing feeling of cool freshness, transparency, and dazzling brightness. Could there be any more auspicious moment? Translated by Ant Maung AUTHOR’S NOTE: Tin Moe, a well-known and respected poet, was released in February 1995 after serving a four-year sentence in prison since December 1991. He is a leading figure in Burmese poetry and is also one of the writers whose works the Press Scrutiny and Registration Board (Board of Censors) instructs its subordinates to read cautiously. Now his portrait, whether a photograph or an artistic sketch, is prohibited; it cannot be published under any circumstances. He currently lives in exile in Belgium.


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