25 February 2026, 7.10AM
It must be fun
Growing up Greek and Malaysian
Still too young
to get caught up in confusion
My little Australasian.
What an explosion of flavour!
So many smells to savour
Hainan chicken rice, nasi lemak, roti, various noodles in plates and bowls
Yemista, feta, haloumi, spanakorizo and pastitsios
Gold vasalopita coins bring luck in the new year
Dancing lions usher in more later at the…start of the year?
Blessings with “tusso”‘s and “hronia polla”,
But also with “ong lai” and vigorous “huat ah!”‘s
Greetings with “yassou”, “ne, agori mou”,
A thoughtful inquiry; “ciak pa le?” or simply, “ho, bo?”
Some mornings begin with “bangun pagi, gosok gigi”
Brushing alongside dad, just like so
Some evenings end wriggling with glee,
Pappoú tickling and singing “páei lagós na piei neró”
I really hope it isn’t all too much
And at other times instead I feel so out of touch
Do I know and will I pass down enough?
And then I hear that beautiful laugh.
Which swings me back to reality
With a little more clarity
And proud of your multi-dimensional identity!
East and West
Neither is best
We’re just so blessed
Two ancient, powerful pillars
On which your balancing beam rests.
Poems for My Sons 