The Jhok of Canton

(Sung to the Streets of London)

Have you seen the old man
In the old town market
Who cooks the jhok
That my mama used to make?
In his eyes you see the love
Like the strong fire in his stove 
Yesteryear's comfort made this morning's breakfast 

Chorus:
So now can you tell me why I'm crazy
For that old man's jhok that is so sublime
Let me take you by the hand and stir gently through those grains of porridge
Yesterday's memories return to blow the mind

Have you seen that old girl
Who also likes his porridge
She is 92, her clothes worn and old
She's no time for talking,
She just keeps on slurping
Thinking of her sweet mama of a 100 years ago

Chorus:
So now can you tell me why I'm crazy
For that old man's jhok that is so sublime
Let me take you by the hand and stir gently through those grains of porridge
Yesterday's memories return to blow the mind

In the all-night market
At a quarter past eleven
Same old man is still cooking on his own
Looking at the pot
Over the counter of his stove
The image of his one lady love
Is keeping him warm through the night

Chorus:
So now can you tell me why I'm crazy
For that old man's jhok that is so sublime
Let me take you by the hand and stir gently through those grains of porridge
Yesterday's memories return to blow the mind

Have you seen that old man
Who once used to make this porridge
His stove is quiet like the street that it stands by
In our fast paced city
Where hawker-food is dying like crazy
This one remembered porridge
Always brings a tear to my eye

Chorus:
So now can you tell me why I'm crazy
For that old man's jhok that is so sublime
Let me take you by the hand and stir gently through those grains of porridge
Yesterday's memories return to blow the mind

The End

Note: This ditty is dedicated to a 92-year old lady I met at a porridge stall in Pipit Road Market. She shared with me three Chinese medallion coins that her mom gave her when she was a young girl. They were the common talismans that mothers give their children to keep them from harm. She kept them in her purse all these years. And yes, the porridge reminded her of what her mom used to make. - TC Lai *Jhok is Cantonese for porridge. Alt spell: chok