Castles in the Sky

Castles in the Sky

By May Kwek

I should like to lie in a garden

And look up at the sky

Where the clouds would freely roam

And the gentle birds would fly

I would watch the changing colours

The varying shades of blue

And when the sunset comes

The reds and yellows too

The sun would shine his radiant rays

In bursts of angelic light

The sky would seem a paradise

Singing in glows dreamlike

And I shall watch and I shall see

The clouds and time roll by

And while watching spent a while

Building castles in the sky

Copyright © 2019 by May Kwek

Winds of Memory

Winds of Memory

By May Kwek

The wind sings with memory

And I remember each time and place

When I closed my eyes in appreciation

As it blessed me with its grace

For as it whipped through my changing hair

And sang into my ear

That old song that has never ceased

Throughout the changing years

I saw walks alone in gardens

Or amidst bustling crowds

I saw peaceful times at home

Or times by streets loud

I lived as a child again

As carefree as the sky

I lived as a youth once more

Growing wings to fly

And the wind brought back these times

With a smile upon my face

And though I stood and moved not

I breathed in many a time and place

Copyright © 2019 by May Kwek

What God is

What God is

By May Kwek

People tell me in times of trouble

To trust in God above

That he would give me what I want

With kindness and with love

Well forgive me my skepticism

For I’ve read too many tales

To believe God will do as I want

And that he always will

Abraham was promised a son

He had to wait so many years

Jacob, his claim to his birthright

But only after much pain and tears

Everyone would bow to Joseph

But first he bowed as a slave

Moses was to lead a nation

But narrowly escaped the grave

Job was to lose everything

And then regain it all

Ruth would be the mother of Kings

But lose her husband and more

David was anointed King

But ended up running for his life

And if that wasn’t enough

He actually did it twice

Elijah was the prophet

Who would never know death

But in life was alone

Without friends and bereft

So don’t say because my prayers aren’t answered

That it means I’m alone

Is the God who gives me all I ask

The only God I’ve known?

Paul was executed

And Peter too

Mary was shamed

Would you say God left them too?

For I know he never left

In trials he was by their side

And you know God is never wrong

Somehow this must be right

So don’t tell me God will do as I want

For the years have taught me this

I will not trust in what God does

I will trust in what God is

Copyright © 2019 by May Kwek

A careful view

A careful view

By May Kwek

The sunset slants into the halls

Turning gold the exquisite walls

Illuminating the gentle arches

As nearby sway the tree’s branches

By a table, two people rest

Drinks in hand, dressed to impress

A book lies carelessly on the table

Unintentionally, to them label

The scions of society, the best of the best

Rich, relaxed, and with no stress

Able to enjoy with ample leisure

The evening and the sunset’s pleasures

I saw them as I hurried along

Moving to the pace of a working man’s gong

And in brief folly wanted to be

Exactly as they seemed to be

But then I turned to the view

They seemed to enjoy in their purview

And saw a road and common stacks

A certain charm it certainly lacked

But perhaps it was aptly placed

To remind these people of their place

Standing on high with nothing they lack

Supported by many an aching back

Copyright © 2019 by May Kwek

Choices

Choices

By May Kwek

To each one’s fortunes it is given

A little of hell, a little of heaven

That their choice they might decide

And choose as their wills might

But it’s a choice shrouded in mists

Bad roads to mountains, good roads to cliffs

What seems good ends up a waste

And the good has a bitter taste

The hours pass and life runs down

While the choices run round and round

Yet time is the only way to see

What each choice was really meant to be

Perhaps that’s why the young aren’t wise

With too much time to blind their eyes

While the aged though their years are spent

Each choice’s true nature comprehend

So now young I to my fortune am given

A little of hell, a little of heaven

But how to choose what’s bitter but right?

I guess I’ll borrowed aged wisdom’s sight

Copyright © 2019 by May Kwek

The Fallen Meadow

The Fallen Meadow

By May Kwek

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 May Kwek

A Million Cranes

A Million Cranes

By May Kwek

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 May Kwek