Yuet Wah Street, Kwun Tong
I’ve stood there
For forty years.
Yet, people rarely notice my presence
until I am about to leave.
Every day, I hear sound
of kids playing around.
The sound of joy is so pleasant
that it fills my soul with happiness more than any gift or present.
Every day, I see students rushing to catch the bus
and mums carrying heavy bags from the market
hurrying back home to dust.
Day by day, I stand here
providing shade on sunny days,
providing shelter on rainy days.
I have long hair in summer
and a hair cut in winter.
Love
is why people greet each other in the morning.
Love
is why parents forgive their child for doing something wrong.
Love
is so powerful that it can create problems
and protection.
One day, an old man sat next to me whispered.
“My dear old friend, I’ve got sad news for thee.”
What’s the matter?
“The URA and developers are going to cut you and your tree friends down.”
Oh my! How horrible it sounds!
“I won’t let them cut you down.”
I miss this place.
I miss each face.
Later, a group of people started to urge for my reservation.
They are a group of people who loved trees.
A group of people who loved me,
I doubt if the protection of love
can withstand the corrosion of greed.
Finally, the URA decided to move me to a park
instead of killing me.
But I’m old,
I am afraid I cannot make it.
I may or may not die during the move.
I won’t blame anyone for my death.
I won’t sigh.
I won’t cry.
Because I know I will eventually die.
Do not fight for me!
There is no need to save me!
I wish to sacrifice
to make a better environment for thee.
Let me be the blessings of this place.
I will be happy in the park if I survive.
I hope to be a will be,
Not a had been.