No one should judge another,
Just because of his colour,
Nor because of his culture,
For therein lies our future.

All should live in harmony;
Put aside greed and envy;
Build a great world together;
Differences do not matter.

Among ourselves we squabble;
The sands beneath us wobble;
Is it not time we unite?
For in unity is might.

Ah, ‘rocks’ of the sea
   Thou rise high!
   Blue art thou,
   So is the sky.
   Rise and sink,
   Is all you do.
   Blue as ink,
   Lovely blue.

Ah, thou ‘white horses’,
   Now I see thee!
   Written about by poets
   Over a century.
   Rush forward together
   As in war.
   Rise again, my brothers,
   When you fall.

Ah, thou dazzling 'stars’,
   In the waters blue.
   My eyes you dazzle,
   With the help of who?
   Like silver you shine,
   As well as gold.
   When the weather’s fine,
   ‘Stars’ I behold!

Ah, thou wide blue sea,
   Thou possess all these;
   King of Military,
   Are you not pleased?

When the starry host shine on high
Like silver glist’ning in the sky,
How exhilaration does flow
Thro’ my veins like the chilly snow!
These soldiers that guard the darkness,
That steal from thieves their happiness,
That spy on lovers’ secrecy
And drift them more to ecstasy,
Will dim away when dawn draws nigh
Without a breath, nor moan, nor sigh.

How cool and sweet the air I drank,
Standing beneath the starry sky;
As I stroll’d the starlit bank,
I saw my Fairy Queen float nigh.

She shew’d me petals for my bed,
A long grass for my easy-chair;
Mushrooms for umbrella or shade
Should rain pelt down from Anywhere.

She gave me May dew for my thirst,
Nectar sips to sweeten my lips;
She shew’d me jasmines, bloom’d and burst,
Whilst light-foot’d fairies round us tripp’d.

Not until I heard the church-bell
Strike with delight the morning hour,
Did I hear a thud as I fell
Off the red petals of a flower.

None was in sight when I came round;
A small red flower stood by my side.
Not a stir was heard, not a sound;
My Fairy Queen had gone to hide.

A bed of roses has many a thorn;
Pain, hardships and suff’ring are of earth born.
Life is not a road that runs smooth and straight;
They on whom we shower love may return hate.
Life has many a wild and worthless dream;
Yet, how many a low thing we esteem!
Power and all fade with the breaking dawn;
And with them all bright prospects are withdrawn.
Farewell to thee, o sweet and fragrant flower;
Power and Beauty take leave at Death’s hour.
Howe’er great or grand to men thou may be,
When Death looms o’erhead, no man can save thee.
Fare-thee-well, dear reader, be brave at heart;
Fight the good fight, then with a smile depart.

Standing tall among men was he,
Very humbly he called himself a 'refugee'.
He was the Queen's Consort, oft full of wit;
Yet in humour, he pretended to be a twit.
Some thought he stood among the gods,
Busy with so much he had no time for the Land of Nod.
In life steps behind the Queen he would always be;
At death carried high before the Queen and for all to see.
All the many good works he had done,
The world only knew at the set of his sun.

Midnight Queen! Midnight Queen! How I grieve for thee.
Alas! That thou in thy garment white,
Should but show thy splendour for a night,
And then sink back into earth away from me!
Alas! Thy beauty once shown departs forever,
Tho’ it remains in the human mind,
As visions may eternally shine,
Thy sad departure remains also in mind!

This is life! This is life! A glimpse of splendour,
Like the fragrance of flowers blown away,
Life passes after a glorious day;
Life comes but once and then departs forever!

Somewhere, my love, I heard the rustling leaves,
The songs of birds,
My mind their music perceived.
Oh somewhere still! the silent call of God
Midst all the noise,
"Come, follow me!" called my Lord.
Follow the Lord! He guides you to the best,
Follow him on
Till you reach the place of Rest.

Somewhere, I heard the laughter of the flowers,
Gentle their words,
Lingered they on, many hours.
Oh somewhere still! the silent call of God
Midst all the noise,
"Come, follow me!" called my Lord.
Follow the Lord! He guides you to the best,
Follow Him on
Till you reach the Place of Rest

Let the Gods be my wonder, be my light!
All things around me like fireworks ignite:
Just to see the world aglow in my sight,
Beautiful – like luminous paint, and bright!
Just one last time before it’s time to go:
I want our planet earth to be “just so”.
I want to see the lovely world unfold…
All nature is not to be picked and sold!
Spell not the word “evil” backwards for “live”;
Take not from the earth for all it can give!
Man on this planet is a one-off breed,
Motivated not by need but sheer greed.
Soon Mother Earth will shed us off like skin;
More power to her elbow – for her to win!

Life is lik’n to lightning;
Like the mist it does pass;
Oh! What is life – this thing
That can ne’er for long last?

See the clouds near heaven;
See the dewdrops – like glass
Life is shattered, broken;
Oh! Life does go by fast!

Life, like the rose, a flower,
Quickly withers and fades;
Dries as passeth each hour;
The soul to heav’n or hades.

See the flick'ring candle,
Watch it splutter and cough.
Life, o thou brief candle,
At old age do not scoff!

Yet, ere life dims away,
Ere our souls to God go,
Make the best of our day,
Make a friend of our foe.

I raced across from field to field,
Felt the wind sweeping past my face;
Feast’d my eyes on the golden yield:
On the padi dancing with grace.

A rain-drop rested on my palm,
A silver-drop from heavens high.
Nature’s cool freshness is a balm,
Rests the mind aft resting the eye.

I saw a youthful sunny face
Whose eyes were flushed with a soft light;
As at it I did gape and gaze,
The world grew dim, the face grew bright.

I shook my head, I blinked my eyes;
Across the face danced a soft glow.
It smiled and dimmed into the skies;
I looked everywhere high and low.

I saw it thrice, I lost it thrice;
I missed it a hundred times more.
It seemed to tease with gentle eyes,
And with parting smiles left me sore.

Life is like an onion:
As each layer you peel,
You seek true reunion -
Closer with the real you.

Each life kills or cures you
From life's infernal ills.
Every man pays his due
Just as we do our bills.

Each man judges himself.
As he stares in the pool,
He thinks he sees an elf
Holding his worn out tool!

Every life should reveal
The nature of that soul...
We may try to conceal
How far we've yet to go.

We may lie to others...
But to ourselves be true!
Let's not judge our brothers!
Be mindful what we do.

We who have touched the heights of ecstasy,
See fantasies become reality,
Swimming out to sea as far as we dare,
Have to experience the depths of despair,
Living on the edge of a nightmare,
Not knowing what can be lurking there.

Such is our lot – the souls that climb the heights!
Shall we call it a blessing or a blight?
Living near the edge of insanity…
Joy is heaven – sorrow the bitter sea.
Between ecstasy and agony,
Our dreams become our reality.

On a hill far away from the city
In a beautiful distant galaxy,
Live a boy and a girl so happily...
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy.
Where the stars like glitter forever shine,
Where the rivers bubble with rose red wine,
While on sweet apples and oysters they dine,
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy.
Where the weather will always be just fine,
High among the stars, floating on cloud nine,
Whispering to each other "You are mine"...
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy.

We can write words of gratitude on paper,
    Or to all the world her virtues make known,
    Or ev’n pour forth our love to her in measure,
    But, in vain, try to move her heart of stone…!

Here is a friend who taught us much we need to know:
Right from wrong and weak from strong,
                                                   Lit and English, too;
All this time she’s been working steadily tho’ slow –
She’s stol’n our hearts ‘ithout even attempting to woo!

…One day we will remember, tho’ some wish not to,
These days of pain and pleasure, we all have in school;
There are those you thank for every small thing they do
But how to thank her who made a person of you?

    We can write words of gratitude on paper,
    Or to all the world her virtues make known,
    Or ev’n pour forth our love to her in measure
    But,
        Oh…! Oh…! How to move her heart of stone?

May our sorrowful year with you remain in our memory
As a farewell serenade, a sad and tearful melody.

I hear the lark
Singing yon on a tree,
Day after day,
Oh so very care-free!
How I wish I’m one;
I’ll fly o’er the sea!
Early each morning
Can you then hear me.
How I wish I can sing
As gaily as it can;
Oh, such a tiny thing,
But yet can be my friend!
***** its little head –
Greets me with a chirp –
Asks me for some bread –
In the water dips.
Fresh as a daisy –
Sweeter than pie;
Who is so merry?
Not even I!
Early in the morning,
I wake with the lark;
Hear it sweetly singing
Upon its usual mark.

If I am Queen of Scotland and you are King
We will wander thro’ all the castles, you and I.
Who knows what the years ahead will bring?
One thing I know, we will see endless Skye.

We will feel so small but yet so free;
Mother Earth steady beneath our feet
On every blade of grass, to the highest tree
We can curl up and sink into sleep.

Scotland, O Scotland! Here we come whilst we are still at one,
Your pipers, bagpipes and drums tug at our heartstrings
When dusk falls and all is said and done,
Only the Gods know what the future brings.

My heart yearns for you, your passion and your fire;
Your world is strangely dark and deep.
Can a heart smoulder with such love and desire,
Mesmerised by your magic and mysteries, and secrets you keep.

When we grow decrepit and old,
Good health is like a crown of gold.
Youth is young, nimble and bold;
Old age is weak, slow and cold.
Envy not the young when age brings our decline;
We’ve lived it if we live to be ninety-nine!
We have struggled to the top of the hill;
On neither side is the grass greener still.
Life is to be lived, not to look idly on;
Live and learn, school starts on the day we are born!
As we grow, we learn to laugh and play;
‘Tis as certain as night follows day.
When we fall, pick ourselves up again;
Should we stay down in eternal pain?
Winners don’t lose, losers don’t win;
‘Tis a shame both make such a din!
One day we’ll play against ourselves to win;
Will we then be banging on drums of tin?
When all are champions playing on the same side,
Will everyone be happy with equal pride?
When we at last improve all,
Then humankind can walk tall.
We’ll shine as stars in the sky,
Watching boulders drifting by.

I have a silver castle in the sky
One day, we will visit it, you and I
We will sail down the river, gently row
Eyes affixed on my castle, from below.

My beautiful castle is shining bright
Surreal and surrounded by mist at night
We will keep rowing until morning dawns
We will haul in nets of shimmering prawns.

My castle in the sky is very far
We will never reach it by boat or car
But in my mind it will always hold true
All is possible at the time of Yule.

In dreams my castle can be anywhere
Wherever I wish it, it will be there
Between you and me, no one else should know
My dream castle is made of ice and snow.

In my dreams I should also let you know
Castle walls glisten with silver and gold
Dreams of castles in moonlight all aglow
Piled sky-high with treasure and wealth untold.

Can I tell you, while I am feeling bold
Sadly, comes dawn, there is nought to behold
All the same, dream I will and dream I must
Tho' at dawn, even castles turn to dust.

Merry Christmas and all that
Do put on your tinsel hat
Humour does not go amiss
To one and all blow a kiss.

Rules are for some - not for all
Well! this is quite a close call
Remember to doff your hat
Aye, the Queen can greet the cat.

Twinkling stars and fairytale
Flying carpets never fail
From all our eyes drop the scales
Re-mix and spare the details.

Living in a "Wonderland":
My eyes can feel grit and sand
Like floating in outerspace
With a mask across my face.

Earth has had a thorough shake
The world is due a re-make
We'll see what lands on the top
For success, failure or flop.

The very big and the very small
Get together at a ball.
Invite guests of similar size
Not a room full of elephants and mice!

Once I knew not my Redeemer
Who had freed me from death.
When I seemed lost in this vast world -
Swimming, I held my breath.
Tossed by the great stormy sea,
Blinded by worldly cares,
Striving for things that'd never be,
Not a moment was rest.
The thunder did above me moan,
And lightning flashed in the sky,
And the flood did all o'er me pour,
Then I heard the Lord's cry:
Turn again, O loved sinner,
Return thou to thy home,
Why art thou in this vast water,
Waiting for thy doom?
I died upon the wooden cross,
That thou and many live,
Thou shalt not be lost,
If only thou believe!
Oh, how my heart then did rejoice
When I left all and all,
And I did raise my voice (loudly),
"Dear friends, do hear this call:
Turn again, O loved sinner,
Return thou to thy home,
Why art thou in this vast water,
Waiting for thy doom?
I died upon the wooden cross,
That thou and many live,
Thou shalt not be lost,
If only thou believe!"

Everyone has a shadow;
You know what I’m talking about?
They’re not the ones that follow
Us where’er we go – in and out.

Shadows no one wants to know;
Denying them ev’n to ourselves.
In us they fester and grow,
Hidden deep where we fear to delve.

We blame the poor old devil
For the bad things we want to do.
Where we recognise evil,
We look for a scapegoat…guess who?

Shadows to haunt us by night;
In each of us a Mr. Hyde!
Dreams of demons we can’t fight;
Within each of us they reside.

We must face our weaker side;
Master the animal within!
We ourselves have to decide
If our better selves are to win.

Love called me, Love called me, Love called me
But I drew back; in sin was lost.
"O sinner, I come to look for thee;
For thee I died upon the cross.
O my beloved, return with me:
The good Shepherd, with Him go home.
From the jaws of the wolf I free thee
Come home with Me and no more roam."
Hear the voice of Love: "Come home..., come home...
Come home, beloved, and no more roam..."

O'er mountain-tracks Love strove and found me
Blinded by the darkness of sin.
"I am the Way...Follow Me!" said He;
All my conflicts melted within.
Long in darkness, naught could my eyes see;
I gazed now at my Saviour's face:
Full of tenderness and sympathy,
His face shining with love and grace.
Love, in a still voice: "Come home...come home...
Come home, beloved, and no more roam..."

Not a soul stopped Jim from roam’in
                      the wild wild sea
While the foams o’er him were roll’in
                      and down went he
Into the depth of the water;
                      he cried in vain.
Mermaids crowned him in wonder;
                      he woke not again.

With eyes closed, his lips half smil’in –
                     down down went he
And friends’ calls were not far reach’in
                     into the sea
While dreamt he of gardens pretty –
                     far, far from real
Which were dreamt ne’er by you nor me -;
                     he’s dreaming still.

A lying tongue and smiling lips!
Blood dripping claws at finger-tips!
To find my friend and foe are one;
The truth drops on me like a ton.

First, come the shock and disbelief –
Then acceptance with flowing grief…
Then anger wells up in my heart.
The mole has changed into a wart!

Betrayed by one who calls me friend,
What foe will to such depths descend?
A coiled serpent beneath the grass…
I cannot simply let it pass!

I must blast it to kingdom come!
Treachery is a game to some!
I want blood, as my blood’s been drawn;
Shock has changed into hate by dawn.

The hate on my face must not show –
While I plan vengeance sweet and slow.
Death is too quick for treachery!
This foe must waste away slowly…

So shall justice be metered out…
Betrayal one jokes not about.
Here my words come to a rude end.
Be the same for my so-called friend!

Poetry is like an addiction,
It is such a strange condition;
I cannot sit, I cannot stand,
I’ve no rest till I grab a pen;
To write down all I feel and see,
Compelled to write all shown to me.
Thoughts and words float into my head,
Be it I’m eating or in bed;
I welcome them all with delight.
Consciousness raised to a new height;
As we have to earth a live wire,
Thoughts need to be controlled, like fire.
I’m bubbling to tell all around,
Your thoughts are alive!...write them down.

For nine years I have stayed here -
But time seems to pass so fast
With friends loyal and sincere,
And with those you love and trust!

Farewell, o Bukit Merah -
Cheerful faces, willing hands!
With peeps like these you'll go far;
May this red hill firmly stand!

What if the world that was once so bright
       be now hidden from my sight?
A world where people used to care
       is simply no longer there?
A world now built with concrete with no soul…
People struggling to live hand to mouth –
       just for their rice bowl?
Are we all wandering blindly into a dead end,
Taking for granted something will turn up
        round the bend?
How long can society survive without compassion
When caring for others is fast going out of fashion?

What if we’ve reached the top of the hill,
       we now have to roll down?
Not agreeing does not matter, we just have to
       look at our town.
There is no such thing as society in this day and age:
Life is about grabbing what you can while you can –
       there’s no gauge.
Giant hands grab all, just leaving behind
       dry morsels and crumbs.
The little people are left speechless, are
       horrified, struck dumb.
Once we had vision. Now the world around us
       is a wreck…
When life falls apart, we will all get it
       in the neck!

The crickets jump...! The crickets hop...!
Chirping in the dark, they won't stop...
Telling me where they are and where they're not
But they are not there, when I reach the spot.
Little crickets, the chirps you make -
Oftimes your location is faked!
Where are you? Along the long grass I look - ;
I just want to give you a gentle stroke.
Little crickets, you're such a tease!
You jump! Then you ride on the breeze...
You sing thro' the night, on a summer day;
I listen to your song from far away.

I ‘kept watch’ at the Pearly Gate
While St. Peter went for his tea;
As a ‘bouncer’ I was third-rate  -
One and all just slipped in for free!

Christmas is here, and no one is celebrating:
Families can't meet up due to the R-ratings.
Everyone is in lockdown, the virus is not abating -
Spreading out of control, while for the vaccine we are waiting.
Along comes a variant strain, to blow our brains, has no one seen it coming?
Cases multiplying seventy times faster, the thought is mind numbing.

Everyone looks around, wondering who to blame;
I'm propped up on my bed, playing my matching game...
Knowing that in every way, tomorrow's world will not be the same.

The third world war - against an invisible enemy;
A war to TOP all wars - and a war for eternity!?
A war to TOP all wars - virus versus humanity.

Many legends down ages retold.
Lanterns! Lanterns! For children to hold.
Buy some lanterns for your little ones:
One for your daughters, one for your sons!
When by darkness the world is enfold,
Little children enact tales of old.
How prettily the candle will dance,
In such a way your child to entrance!
How daintily his/her little hand will
Try not to shake, and to keep it still!
Buy lanterns! Make the world gay with light:
Red light, green light, blue light – bright at night!

Billy Whizz!
Billy Whizz!
How fast you run!
You climb the mountains…
You cross the plains…
And when you’re done,
You do it all over again!

‘Tis love at first sight
When I see you
In the bright moonlight.
None is like you:
Your bright blue eyes
Shining like gold
Under the lighted sky.
Tightly we hold,
I look deep at you,
Sweet as a rose
In the bright moonlight,
Here I propose.

The game is over, I tell you.
I am gonna to seek someone new.
I am not gonna to fall for you.
I have made up my mind to renew.

We can be friends again.
Our peace we may maintain.
No more make-believe love…
No more saying what you deserve.

I am not gonna to fall for you…
Adieu, adieu, adieu!
Say so if you want to be friends,
That we may once again shake hands.

** is the one you love and miss!
Go to her and she’ll give you a kiss!
And you will think that you are in bliss!
And I can just cross you off my list!

Should nimble Muse outspread her wings and fly,
Just wave your hand and to her smile good-bye.

From the fount of Love flowed forth blood
To wash away your sins and mine;
They made a cross of tough, rough wood
And there they hung our Love Divine.

O our Saviour who for us died,
At Calvary was crucified,
Is now calling: "Return to Me...
B'fore the Father I plead for thee."

Would you still say: "There is no room -
No room, dear Lord, no room for Thee"?
O sinner, beyond this earth's foam,
Remember, is eternity.

O our Saviour who for us, died,
At Calvary was crucified,
Is now calling: "Return to Me...
B'fore the Father I plead for thee."

For sinners, Love died on the cross,
For them who stray along the way;
Increasingly prays He for the Lost:
On the path throws a shining ray.

O our Saviour who for us, died,
At Calvary was crucified,
Is now calling: "Return to Me...
B'fore the Father I plead for thee."

Blow, o wind, across the land,
And toss the leaves on trees,
And cause the huge waves to rise,
In the blue stormy seas…

Blowing ‘cross the ship’s high deck,
Let your fresh breath cool my neck;
Let my spirits with yours rise,
To meet the clouds in the skies.

I know not whether I’m crazy,
To love you with such fire;
There is in you a quality
I cease not to admire.
Characters are sent from heaven,
Tho’ not all be heav’nly;
But all virtues are God-given –
Pray, sweet angel, tarry!
Write I like a fool, blind in love,
These last hours of your stay?
Let our messenger be the dove
When you are gone away.
There is in you a quality,
None to you must reveal;
Lest false superficiality
The Truth decides to steal.
Virtue should not be self-conscious,
Or ‘tis Hypocrisy;
May all your friends deem you precious –
Tho’ why, they cannot see.

You are our little sunshine –
Your colours in the rain.
You are your daddy’s and mine –
Our happiness and pain.
Wherever there’s a dark cloud –
You come out with a smile.
You’ve always made us feel proud –
You progress mile by mile.
You make our little rainbows –
You throw out little rays,
Even when it rains or snows –
During the wintry days.

I am a little scallop,
Bobbing slowly to and fro.
Year by year bigger and bigger
I hope to grow and grow.

I am only tiny;
Give me a little break.
Hear my little ditty…
Help me! Go for a steak.

I am a little scallop,
Awake in my cosy bed
With my brothers and sisters.
I am a wee bit afraid.

I wish not to be eaten;
I must quickly speed away.
I just will not be beaten;
I will live another day!

Life is just a winner’s game;
I must move fast as I can.
‘Survivor’ being my name,
I will not be caught by man!

If you a child would teach,
His/Her heart you first must reach.

Beneath the sun I always roam
A happy lark – o so free!
The spacious sky my native home –
My comfy perch up a tree!

Every morning wake up with me,
To greet the bright morning dew!
Take a light stroll across the lea,
Hear my chirpy song to you!

The wild cold wind does call to me –
Its many arms me enfold…
The blue sky offers liberty,
Of more worth than shining gold!

As we move into space age,
Man his power to prove,
Mother Nature in a rage,
Mountains start to move.

Freak weather: hailstones in spring,
Heatwaves in winter;
Pity every living thing,
And flowers that wither.

Give your heart away;
Day will turn to night!
You won’t find your way,
Ev’n in broad day-light!

Give your heart away?
You’d be better blind,
For lit by Love’s ray,
His / Her faults are divine!

Home from the winds, home from the sea!
Bidding all my friends come to tea,
I laid dishes for thirty-three;
But none sat at table with me.

I called the beggars in for tea,
And they were more than thirty-three –
They drank my health; I left for sea
With a heavy heart within me.

I cannot boast about worldly wealth
Nor can I boast about physical health
But what I have none can take away
I prefer my freedom any day.

I am no King with a worldly crown
With both my feet firmly on the ground
I know that life is an illusion
So nought over me has dominion.

Around me people fight for riches
The chinking sound of gold bewitches
Content does not come from worldly gain
It comes when no desires remain.

I want nothing, so my heart is free
Unattached and just content to be
Very gently with nature I blend
All is my brother, sister and friend.

Together everything makes a whole
We are units of a single soul
We have all been made blind by the “fall”
There is but one god and god is all.

Open our inner eye…we will see
Our past, present and future to be
God is not an outside entity
It is the spark within you and me.

When every ego its job has done
Then the universal prize is won
Like a picture the artist has drawn
The ultimate masterpiece is born.

All the things the world has ever known
As a child into the adult grown
Lives need to be lived and then depart
All is made perfect and becomes art.

All the world is dim – she alone is light.
With grace moves her limb – she delights my sight.
Aloof like a queen – a fairy she is.
Expression serene – in heavenly bliss.
Her smiles are gracious – warm and enchanting.
Expressive features – to top everything.
Her eyes bright and clear – with laughter supressed,
Tease the audience here – her smile does confess.

Necklaces at night I behold,
Both of silver and of gold.
Clinging on the hills they lie;
Ones which you can never buy.