Spilled Soup

The empty bistro, the fallen leaves, numerous fire-rusted pans, and the oily sewers

Burnt crisp from the deep fried fish, smell of the rich buttery batter lingers on

Hot steam escaping from the vent, enshrouded the opening and the open ceiling

Filtering out the dim sun rays, casting a dimly lighted and hazy atmosphere

The wind blew and we sent farewell to the family beloved 'One and Only'

A family tradition, the perseverance, of providing good food

Waved goodbye to the blazing flame, the bubbling frying oil and the steaming hot soup

Chicken bones, fish skin, salted cabbages, formulated bowls and bowls of pure taste and essence

Fried bean curd skins, sauté mutton, tossed into a mixture of Chinese herbs and spices soup

To create the ever marvelous delicious and soothing potion for curing bitterness and chill

But now it's all gone

Near 10 years of hardwork and determination, sweat and blood, forsaking sleep hours

Withholding mental stress, price surge, low pay

In order to keep the family in one piece, having enough to feed their sons, daughters and themselves

The soup, this soup, is no ordinary soup, to me

It is the soup of life, of beliefs and many memories, both fond and those...