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    7th and Franklin
    7th and Webster
    Cin Der Ma Ma
    Through the Eyes of a     Woman Worker
    Ai Joong Wah Poem

2005 China Exchange

Recent Publications

(I wrote this poem for a group traveling exhibition entitled ‘The Distaff Toolkit after I read with William Poy Lee, author of the Eighth Promise, Carmen Pearson, and Layton Duong at the Oakland Museum on August 3, 2007.  In his book William celebrates the use of the Hoisan dialect, which my parents taught me when I was growing up in Oakland Chinatown during the 1940s and 50s.)

Ai Joong Wah: Great China

Ai Joong Wah, Great China!
Tan Gon, restaurant!
Oock Loon Haw Ngin Fow, Oakland Chinatown
Ghee Geong Bok, Ghee Geong Sim, Uncle Ghee Geong, Auntie Ghee Geong!
Hoy goong lah!  Start work now!
Gah feh!  Coffee!
Min bow doy!  Parker house rolls!
Ping Gwaw Pie!  Apple pie!
Bow woon hoon!  Wrap won tons!
Kee hoy!  Wait on tables!
Mought hoy!  Wipe the tables!
Slai pawn wawn!  Wash the dishes!
Slai gah feh woo!  Wash the coffee urn!
Hoy goong lah!  Start work now!
Hoy goong lah!  Start work now!