My heart cries for thee, O Penang of Old,
For blocked were thy sunsets and rising moons
By concrete and steel structures tall and bold
Which blocked too the breeze on hot afternoons;
My heart bleeds for thee, O Pearl of the East,
For gone was the charm for which thou were known
By courtesy of the pile-driving beast
And concrete towers its masters have sown;
My heart mourns for thee, O Paradise Lost,
For heartlessly planned and schemed was thy death
By whatever means, at whatever cost,
Till brought to its knees was thy final breath;
My heart wails for thee, O Isle of my Birth,
Even thy grave was of concrete, not earth.
