POEM - ROBERT PAUL MORENO

This morning, as usual,  I sent my 8-year old son to school. Usually after the ceremonial 'salam' I always kiss him. But this morning is different. He refused to be kissed. 'Malu kalau orang nampak', he said. With a slightly dented father ego, I just smiled...my son has grown up. He is concerned now about what other people might think of him. And suddenly I felt 'lost' and 'nostalgic'. And I remember my late father who always kissed my forehead when we met once a month when I was still a primary school boy. And I remember the day I kissed my father's forehead when I visited him last. A couple of days later, he passed away. And with glassy eyes, I recalled this poem.

The Time Is Now

If you are ever going to love me
Love me now, while I can know
The sweet and tender feelings
Which from true affection flow
 

Love me now while I am living
Do not wait until I am gone
And then have it chiselled in marble
Sweet words on ice-cold stone
 

If you have tender thoughts of me
Please, tell me now
If you wait until I am sleeping
Never to awaken

There will be death between us
And I won’t hear you then
 

So, if you love me, even a little bit
Let me know it while I am living
So I can treasure it.