The Fallen Meadow

They were off to war! The merry men

At long last, to bring an end

To their enemy, that hated race

And return home in song and praise

By day they crossed long mountain roads

Their nights were filled with glory and hope

For they were a brave and noble power

And this, now, was their hour

Then they came across a blooming meadow

And their forms cast a dreadful shadow

On the blooms; pure, bright and fine

That in the sun, did glow and shine

They paused, for it was in their way

They could not go, they could not stay

Beyond was their dreams of glory

But before them was a living story

For a long time, they stood and looked

Till, at last, the General spoke

“Onward men! For the greater good!”

And the blossoms were trampled underfoot

They went, they won, they returned in praise

Many toasts in their name were raised

But the meadow they trampled in their power

Never again bloomed a single flower

Copyright © 2019 by Kwek Yi Zhen

Originally from: http://poemsforocassions.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-fallen-meadow.html

A Million Cranes

Fold me a million cranes

A thousand is not enough

To get by in this crazy world

So unpredictable and rough

For it winds and it bends

In shadows and in mists

Nothing clear, nothing certain

But that it exists

So yes fold me a thousand cranes

And then a thousand times more

For with so many living wings

I’m sure no one could fall

For their wings could bear up a dream

And spark a perennial hope

And with stubborn dreams despite anguish

And with faith we can cope

And find a way to go on

Despite the trials of life

The dark moments, the silence

The conflicts and the strife

So yes fold me a million cranes

And give them wings to fly

Up to the heavens to shine as stars

Against the world’s night sky

And there let them fly forever

Yes, forever and a day

Until our faith is strong enough

To bring us the rest of the way

Copyright © 2019 by Kwek Yi Zhen

Originally from: http://poemsforocassions.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-million-cranes.html

Confronting Time

Oh ask me not, not today

For my spirits have quite flown away

It flew out the window, into open air

And where it went, I know not where

For it told me not before it left

And it's left me quite bereft

For here I have to sit alone

And to the hours quietly roam

The hours pass, where've they gone?

For time just ticks on and on

And it cares not what I have to say

I cannot plead it to stay

Oh time! Oh time! Oh ruinous time!

Thou shall be my enemy I find

For you steal from pleasure and add to woes

When I find that you must go

And leave me not with a quiet hour

To just enjoy the present's power

As I rush from task to task

It did not seem too much to ask

But no, you will not listen to me

You cannot talk, you only flee

Treating my words as if not heard

Oh time, you're a hopeless coward!

Copyright © 2018 by Kwek Yi Zhen

Originally from: http://poemsforocassions.blogspot.com/2018/12/confronting-time.html