2942. Taiwan Travels: Hugs and kisses for an aged father

Hugs and kisses are touches

They are taboo in the Chinese culture
Of respect for the elders

One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father

Hugs and kisses matter much
To an aged father
Whose tomorrow may never come
Whose diabetes mellitus will never disappear

Hugs and kisses flash back
Memories of his little girl
Whom he hugged
Every time he carried her up
Onto the baby chair to feed her

To comfort her whenever she was sick or
Who hugged and kissed him
When she manipulated him to buy things for her

Hugs and kisses are sunshine
To an aged failing heart    

So so very hard to receive from his adult daughter
Now that she had grown up to be prim and proper

Hugs and kisses
Waft the fragrance of the adult daughter's perfume to an aged father
Making him believe he is young and vigorous on this special day


Hugs and kisses are touches

They are taboo in the Chinese culture
Of respect for the elders

One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father


The daughter googled to buy a sugar-free cake
To celebrate his 78th birthday
"Happy birthday to you," the family and friends sang this song

All the words sung are perfunctory

Nothing beats

Hugs and kisses for an aged father

One who had made much sacrifices
One who had to be frugal to ensure
That his daughter needed not worry
About non-payment of tuition fees
And would receive the best education

Hugs and kisses are touches

They are taboo in the Chinese culture
Of respect for the elders

One-to-one contact that lasts a few seconds
But they are very rarely, if ever presented
From an adult daughter to an aged father


A peck on his cheek 
Is not Chinese culture
But it is sunshine in his heart
And it matters

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FIRST VERSION

HUGS AND KISSES FOR AN AGED FATHER

Hugs and cheek pecks are touches
They are not in the Chinese culture of respect for elders
Hugs and cheek pecks
Matter much for an aged father
Much more than words of "happy birthday to you!"


The fragrance of the busy adult daughter
In hugs and kisses
A contact that takes a few seconds
But is very rarely, if ever presented

Bring back memories of the little girl
Who was hugged every time he carried her up
Onto the baby chair to feed her
Whenever she was sick or was manipulative to get things from him

They are sunshine in an aged failing heart
So so hard to get from a daughter
Who is now a healthy busy adult
Who googled and presented a sugar-free cake
To surprise and celebrate his 78th birthday
"Happy birthday to you," the family sang this song
But for all the words

Nothing beats
Hugs and kisses for an aged father
Hugs and cheek pecks are touches
The waft of perfume from the busy adult daughter
In hugs and kisses
Makes him feel strong and vigorous

A peck on his cheek
Is not Chinese culture
But it is sunshine in his heart
And it matters