If he were still living today That’s what all our people strongly believe He would unfailingly make every effort to take the lead in building the destiny of his country.

If he were still living today That’s what all our people strongly believe He would actively undertake as his responsibilities the affairs for the essentials of life and health of his poverty-stricken people, as well as the education and culture of his nation.

If he were still living today That’s what all our people strongly believe He would not exhaust his intellectual brains, and the contributions of the people, for the sake of his beloved family egocentrically, but make endeavours to grow the Tree of Love for his country, his world.

If he were still living today That’s what all our people strongly believe He would sacrifice his flesh and blood to safeguard his country in times of foreign invasions.

If he were still living today That’s what all our people strongly believe He would put an end to the ongoing civil wars among our ethnic races of the same blood, stirring up the brotherhood spirit, going hand in hand.

The whole country bled to witness his untimely fall at the daybreak of a new era;

His Soul, however, on his behalf, the flaming torch shining through the dark way, will be guiding, leading his people as before That’s what all our people strongly believe.

Tin Moe From A Collection of Poems: Pan Zay Khin (1967)

Translated by Zaw Tun