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Shaun Yee Jun 2022
Every evening around seven
From my balcony at back,
I see a flock of little birds
Flying eastwards from the west;
They knew exactly where
They were going
For their evening’s rest.

From my balcony out front
I see a flock of bigger birds,
Flying east then turning south
In the sky over the sea;
Going into the clouds
they knew so well,
Where  they want to be.


(Klebang, Malacca, Malaysia  2010)
written in 2010 from my sea-front condominium in Malacca
Blank D Apr 2015
If
"If"  is a very strong word

let me ask myself

What would happen,
If my father hadn't been conned?


Maybe,
We would still have our own beloved house, a place that kept appearing in my dreams no matter where I live, a place my innate-self call home.
Maybe,
We would still live in Malacca, where i had real friends, best friends, regardless of race, regardless of ***, regardless of time.
Maybe,
I would be heavier than ever, take everything for granted, didn't appreciate the little things, become different than my current self?

And what would happen,
If my father was still alive?


Maybe,
My dad would learn about my O-level result, proud with tears, watching me graduate from school, for the whole 11 years he had worked for sending me to.
Maybe,
He would watch me enter university, as he did with my sister, perhaps he would witness both of us with a degree scroll, as he hadn't had a chance himself.
Maybe,
He would watch me have a successful career, and I am able to repay him, for all these years he had raised me.
Maybe,
He would witness me get married, held and play with his own grandchildren, as he had ever wished for.
Maybe,
He could at least marry off my sister, like a father - albeit scared - would want to do.

but what would happen then,
If I can turn back time, knowing what will happen?


Well,
that's not possible, i know.
just a mere "if"
say all the ifs I want,
things won't ever change,
only but the future.
so
i will work for it,
for the better future.

I miss you papa :')
My father passed away in early 2009. Until now, although it has been a while, I still remember and yearn for him time to time. May God rest his soul in peace.
Zeyu Dec 2018
Do not remember past things that bring regret
Memories, caught between the unborn and dead
Perish and fade— all men are destined to forget

Byzantium sacked, Malacca discovered yet
The golden coffin buried deep at world’s end
Do not remember past things that bring regret

Around and around the monument of intellect
Raised the holy fire, like stars ascend
Burning (all men are destined to forget)

Paramount of new earth the oceans beset
Storms crush men racing to the ****** land
Forget, forget those things that bring regret

Aleppo, Nanjing, Warsaw. Nothing left to recollect
Of all things between the unborn and dead
Do not remember past things that bring regret

At day’s closing, the roads direct
Travelers to the mirage at horizon’s end
Do not remember past things that bring regret
Memories fade— all men are destined to forget.
My attempt at villanelle. Not easy to write

— The End —