• Home

    Home


  • Articles

    Articles


  • Happenings

    Happenings


  • Eksentriks

    Eksentriks


  • Community

    Community

  • Home
  • Asian Arts Magazine  ▾
    • Arts
    • Culture
    • Films
    • Literature
    • Music
    • Performing Arts
    • Photography
    • Poems
    • Stories
  • Artist Registry
  • Arts Community
  • Happenings

  • Log In
  • Submit Stories & Poems
  • List Your Events
  • Get Featured
  • Donate

  • What Is Eksentrika?
  • Get In Touch With Us
  • FAQ
  • Join Our Monthly Newsletter
  • Eksentrika Facebook
  • Eksentrika Instagram
  • Eksentrika Twitter
  • Eksentrika Linkedin
  • Eksentrika Telegram
  • Home
  • Get Featured
  • Asian Arts Magazine
  • Artist Registry
Arts & Culture Malaysia | Eksentrika
Eksentrika Login
POETRY | The Reunion by Juliana Heng
Juliana Heng

Written by Juliana Heng

POETRY | The Reunion by Juliana Heng

Share this article via


Editor’s Note: This poem was first performed by Malaysian stand-up comedian and poet, Juliana Heng at the International University of Malaya-Wales Slam Off on October 16, 2019. It was extremely moving that we decided to obtain Juliana’s permission to share it with you here. Enjoy!

The reunion dinner
on the eve of Chinese New Year
is a cherished tradition
of every Chinese family.

It could be
a huge gathering
of a few generations
under one roof,
or just an intimate get-together
with a few immediate family members.

I used to have a reunion dinner every year,
with my family of 4 :
Dad, Mum, Younger Brother and Me.

Unfortunately, that stopped 3 years ago,
when I moved out of the home,
after years of enduring
emotional and physical abuse
from my mum and brother.

After I moved out for a few months,
my dad invited me back home
for my first reunion dinner
since the estrangement.

I was delighted!
I missed my family members dearly,
although they have hurt me before.

Few days before the eve of Chinese New Year,
dad called me not to go back
as mum said that she already disowned me,
and don’t want to have anything to do with me,
let alone see me again.

I was stumped and numbed by the news.
I was ready to forgive them and
reconcile with them
in this reunion.
But it’s not going to happen anytime soon…
My dad did not want me
to celebrate Chinese New Year
alone and forlorn…

He decided to break the tradition
by telling my mum and brother
to have their own reunion,
repenting their unforgiving and cold behaviour.

Dad then arranged another reunion dinner.
This time, with my aunt, uncle and cousin.

We had a wonderful reunion dinner
at a seafood restaurant.
We had a heartwarming catch-up,
encouraging each other to be strong
no matter what happens,
because we are a family!

My aunt told me that
although my mum is harsh and cold
with her words,
and may lack affection,
deep down, she loves me,
but clearly not ready to receive me back!

Reunion dinner is never the same
when I am estranged from my closest family members.
Home seems a world apart…

In spite of what has happened,
I still have the fervent hope that
Dad, Mum, Younger Brother and Me,
will sit at the same table,
under one roof,
celebrating our reunion!

*** Header image by Clay Banks on Unsplash 

Hey guys, we’re looking for more short stories, poems and essays. If you’ve got some and aren’t shy to share it with the world, please drop us an email at [email protected]. Oh, do read our Submission Guidelines first. Here’s another post you might enjoy. 

POETRY | Ghazal: Of Mangoes and Sunbirds by Christine Chu

Hey guys, this was an amazing read! I want more content such as this in my inbox.


Tags: Clay Banks, Juliana Heng
Juliana Heng

Contribute to Us

We accept short stories, poems, opinion pieces, and essays on a complimentary basis.

SUBMIT

Other Stories You May Like

100DP Playwriting Program Will Train You To Write Good Plays

This Playwriting Program Will Train You To Write Good Plays In 100 Days

Sukhbir Cheema

20 Young Malaysian Writers Spill Truth In Trouble Started

This Anthology Features Brave Stories From 20 Young Malaysian Writers

Eksentrika

Malaysian Writing In English

Is Malaysian Writing In English Really Dead Or Are We Being Dishonest?

BrandonK.Liew

2 Super Useful Tips To Write Historical Fiction

Writing Historical Fiction: Here’s How To Stay True To Real Life Events

Sukhbir Cheema

What Life Like As Dr M Daughter Marina Mahathir Reveals

What’s Life Like To Be Mahathir’s Daughter? Marina Reveals In New Book.

Ista

Charissa Ong Practice Book Is Useful For Writers And Poets

Useful Practice Book Shows You How To Write Better Stories And Poems

Sukhbir Cheema

About Eksentrika

Eksentrika is an arts community and an online Asian arts magazine with an artist registry. Join us to get inspired and find Asian artists here!

Quick Links

  • About Eksentrika
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.

Join Our Newsletter

 


All Rights Reserved © 2021 Eksentrika | By eJeeban Web Design Company

  • Eksentrika Facebook
  • Eksentrika Instagram
  • Eksentrika Twitter
  • Eksentrika Linkedin
  • Eksentrika Telegram