Melayu In Denmark - Wherever You Spark Poem by Noor Othman

Melayu, Malays, or whatever you call them
They are everywhere not only at their birth stem
They are proud of Malaysia and sing National anthem
Living peacefully together far from any mayhem

This is a story of Melayu people in Denmark
Malaysian ambassadors they are, to the full mark
Carrying Eastern tradition wherever they park
They warm each other even on days wintry dark!

They hail from Johor Perak, or Kelantan
Sabah, Melaka, Pahang or Negeri Sembilan,
Indonesians, Filipinos, often they get mistaken
When that happens they do not like the equation

The Melayu in Denmark is small Muslim community
Compared to other Nationals from Sudan or Turkey
They help each other living like one big family
Children trade computer games, spouses trade recipe

Good gestures at times may get misunderstood
Creating disharmony of sisterhood and brotherhood
Usual is such in any close friendship would
Rifts would not stand in between even if it could

The Melayu from Malaysia, Brunei or Indonesia
These are people whose root is in Polynesia
They are unique men and women of Asia
Some talk Danish well, some do not use the franca!

When you live far away from home and the loved ones
Many good memories linger especially joyful occasions
Some do get homesick while some ignore such wants
Making the best of whatever life in Denmark warrants.

My stay in Copenhagen is coming to the end
I have met Melayu families and endorse many friends
I have enjoyed everyone and have gracefully blend
To all of you I salute and give commend

My stay in Copenhagen was only for 3 moons
I was here in summer from the month of June
Enjoying the walk I do, around the lake at noon
I feel sad now, leaving the beautiful city soon


This poem was written and circulated by emails to my new Melayu {Malay} friends in Denmark at the end of my sabbatical leave at University of Copenhagen; June 1st to August 31st 2008