It’s officially the Chinese New Year. All over China, people are celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Pig. Everywhere I go, I’d see that rather bellyful porky figurines and symbols.
Meanwhile, people are releasing scores of fireworks even though it is illegal in this country. I shan’t get into a legal argument with regards to this. It is best that I leave this to the experts for it is equally confusing and perplexing.
In any case, as the fireworks are being released in the next few days or so, it is not difficult to constantly immerse myself into the realm of nostalgia. It reminds me of my childhood living in kampong near Potong Pasir.
Any national holiday was a reason to take the crateful of fireworks out. Be it Chinese New Year, Eid Mubarak, Deepavali, or Christmas.
O boy, did we Set It Off!
I remember how magnificent those nights were. It was one that was full of colour and splendour. It would be a night of lights and sparks. And if I remember correctly it was beautiful.
At a time when the skies weren’t as polluted, you could see the backdrop of twilight and twinkles. Pressed against this background, the fireworks were sent on a chaotic frenzy.
All the village kids would gather in the field armed with their various ‘weapons’. So as I descent towards the field (I lived up in the hill), I swear I could hear repeatedly the fizzling ascent of the firework and then… the inevitable explosion.
Boom!
This I could hear even from the place I used to live.
As a child it might have been scary for me. But witnessing the magnificent lights such fear would dissipate as soon as it arrived.
Who wouldn’t be impressed by such play of lights and sound?
That was 30 years ago and I was five then.
Thirty years later, this scene is replayed. This time I was a participant and I am the one setting it off.
At that point of time, time froze.
As I lighted up the fuse, as I ran off to safety, as we held our breath, for a moment, just for that fraction of a second, I was that 5 year old kid with no worries and no regrets.
Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Song of the Day: Set It Off by Audioslave
Finger Acrobatics Performed by Avloomat @ 0300Hrs
