A Redwood's Time

Strong, alone but not alone

In a forest of equals I stand

Reaching for the heavens

With all that I am

Centuries pass in a blink

Forever lives in a day

I’ve seen empires rise and fall

I’ve seen men born and passed away

And yet here am I

Standing in the light

Away from the world’s troubles

Serene and bright

The centuries which’ve passed

And their troubles seem so small

For they lived but for a moment

And still! I stand tall

What is a day

In a thousand years?

What’s a brief cloud

For centuries clear?

What of the fire that burns?

Though it scars my side?

Will my leaves still not shine?

In the morning light?

For they can touch me not

They which do not last

Except in clouded memories

Of an inconsequential past

Oh look on me you men

For in my years you’ll see

How fleeting your troubling moments

In the face of eternity

Copyright © 2018 by Kwek Yi Zhen

Originally from: http://poemsforocassions.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-redwoods-time.html

The Swift Night

I saw the moon

Race across the sky

Faster that the swiftest bird

Could ever dream to fly

"Where are you going?" I asked

"Why hurry along your way?"

"Because I am running," it replied

"To bring back the day."

"Not so soon," I cried

"The day can afford to wait.”

“Not so,” declared the moon,

“It can never ever be late.”

And with wings of purest silver

The moon flew across the sky

And the night was gone in a blink

As I started to wave goodbye

Copyright © 2018 by Kwek Yi Zhen

Originally from: http://poemsforocassions.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-swift-night.html

The Forest Stream

Let us pause here my friend

Where the trees and waters meet

Where the air is silent and clear

And the breeze is sweet

For look the forest stream flows

Treading through the trees

From the highest mountains it roams

To the intrepid seas

Oh how different the forest is

From the shinning shore

The stream shall know the forest’s quiet

And the ocean’s roar!

Yet listen to its song

So joyful and light in the sun

In the moment that it is here

The forest and it are one

Its sparkle lights the gentle banks

And carries the fallen leaves

And the song which it plays forever

Is the tune of the breeze

In this moment, yes a moment

A moment is eternity

For the sea is miles away

And all around are trees

Copyright © 2018 by Kwek Yi Zhen

Originally from: http://poemsforocassions.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-forest-stream.html