Heeren Street, Malacca

I
Gharry and palanquin are silent.
The narrow street describes
Decades of ash and earth.

The narrow street describes

Decades of ash and earth.
Meaning: This street consists of dirt and how people died.

Here in the good old days

The Babas paved
A legend on the landscape.

Meaning: During the glorious days of the Babas (locally born Chinese men, loyal to Britain)
and Nyonyas (locally born Chinese women)

And sang their part-

God Save The King
In trembling voices,

Till the Great Wars came,

And the glory went, and the memories
Grave as a museum.

Ah, if only our children

On the prestige of their pedigree
Would emulate their fathers,
If the children would imitate what the fathers do, it would be a glory

Blaze another myth,

Mediating in every wilderness
Of this golden peninsula.
Peninsula: West Malaysia (places other than Sabah, Sarawak)
II – place for foreigners to live in this place
Newcomer urchin strides the gutter
Reeking cockroach, rats and faeces.
On charpoy jaga fast asleep.
Under antique lanterns
The Babas, comfortable on old benches,
Gaze at Fords and Mercedes
Meaning: (Past) There were people who came to live in this place in Heeren Street. The
Babas also sat on benches looking at luxurious cars passing by or parked
Charpoy jaga: a security sleeping on a wooden bed, looking after the place (the guard
position is possessed by the Sikh or Punjabi people)

While swallows shrill

Shriek in the twilight (the end of the day)
Stealing over the obscurity of eaves.
Meaning: (Present)

Subject matter:
Past prosperity of Heeren Street and how this period of time has passed.
How the great war had a part in shaping the landscape.
Past and present of the Babs who lived in Heeren Street

Theme: Nostalgia and identity of the place

Elaboration: Contrast between the past and present of the Baba and Nyonyas living in Heeren
Street , Malacca

Last 2 stanzas: The persona hopes that the children could be like their ancestors, regaining
glory

Poem Analysis;

Theme: The central idea of the poem revolves around the contrast between
the past glory of a bygone era and the present reality of decay and neglect.
It also touches on the theme of generational differences and the desire for
the younger generation to uphold the legacy of their ancestors.

Subject Matter: The poem reflects on a once prosperous and grand era
represented by the Babas, who paved a legendary path in history.
However, it also highlights the decline of this glory over time and the
current state of the surroundings, filled with filth and decay. The contrast
between the past and the present is a key subject matter of the poem.

Language: The poet uses descriptive language to vividly paint the picture of
the setting, with words like "Gharry," "palanquin," "charpoy," "lanterns," and
"swallows" creating a sense of nostalgia and imagery. Literary devices such
as alliteration (e.g., "Reeking cockroach, rats and faeces") and imagery
(e.g., "Decades of ash and earth") enhance the sensory experience for the
reader.

Sound and Rhythm: The poem has a mix of long and short lines, creating a
varied rhythm. The stresses in the lines are not consistent, contributing to a
sense of unease and dissonance, reflecting the contrast between the past
and present depicted in the poem.
Structure: The poem is divided into two parts, each with its own distinct
imagery and tone. The structure includes stanzas with varying line lengths,
creating a fluidity in the reading experience. The lack of a strict rhyme
scheme adds to the overall feeling of disarray and decay in the poem.

Context: The poem seems to be set in a once grand and prosperous

location that has now fallen into disrepair. The Babas, who were once
prominent figures, are now overshadowed by the filth and neglect
surrounding them. The poem reflects on the passing of time and the loss of
glory, as well as the desire for future generations to uphold the traditions
and values of the past.