Trees in the Light

Trees in the Light

 By May K.

A marvelous thing seems to happen
When trees are touched by light
One moment they are just sleeping
And the next they awake so bright

 

As the sunlight drapes over their leaves
Some lift and begin to sing
‘Glory! Glory!’ dances on their petals
And their voices to the sunlight they bring!
 
Others are ever so quiet
Indeed, I would say almost shy
They hide their faces in modesty
As if they aren’t worthy of the sky
 
Yet the sunlight touches them still
And so in humility they glow
Softly, gently, yet undoubtedly gladly
The light its beauty bestows
 
Some are even stranger
In the shade they seem soft and sweet
But in the light turn to regal statues
So greeting all that they meet
 
They seem to grow still
Somber and oh so quiet
So to these I give their will
And leave them in themselves mired
 
For my eyes and attention turn
To the ones I love best of all
Who when the sun shines upon them
Gives to it their all
 
Every leaf becomes a flame
And every flame sings in song
Oh the whole tree sings ablaze!
And I could listen all day long
 
Listen as it dances
Listen as it sings
For in the light it becomes a light
And to the light its whole self brings
 
But alas the sun comes and then it leaves
And the trees return to their quiet wait
So I too must retire to wait for the next moment
For the sunlight is never late

Copyright © 2025 by Kwek Yi Zhen

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 Rainy Afternoon

A Rainy Afternoon

By May Kwek 

The rain hums just outside

The world’s cast in a grey light

As the clouds shift in the unshifting sky

And the wind passes sleepily by

The air is cool, the breeze is sweet

The earth and rain in rhythm meet

To form a soothing symphony

Which fills the ears so pleasantly

To this stage bold birds fly

Between the rain, against the sky!

And to those peering through windows

Their forms appear as darting shadows

That dance and rise, that swoop and fall

There for a moment or maybe not at all

For the rain provides its own curtain

And behind its veils the dancers are hidden

Till the rain eases and all we can see

The buildings, the people, the birds, the trees

And with one last chord that strains and falls

The symphony sounds its final call

For the wind soars high and blows away

The clouds to rain another day

And as they drift away without a care

They leave a memory that they were there

Copyright © 2018 by May Kwek

Stars

Stars

By May Kwek

Each night I stand at my window

Looking for the stars

Those sparkles of dreams and of fire!

So close yet so far

In the scattered night they smile at me

In playfulness they wave

Out of the inky blackness

At once solemn and grave

Yet the night has no power

Over these points of light

Scattered and hidden maybe

But they shine ever so bright

Oh dear stars twinkling in the night

Shine on as hope’s beacon light!

For if you can shine in depths so dark

Then I too, can take heart

For in your twinkling lights I finally see

Why the sky is dotted with memory

For when night comes, and it must

We must have a light in which we trust

Copyright © 2018 by May Kwek

A redwood’s time

A redwood’s time

By May Kwek

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 May Kwek

The swift night

The swift night

By May Kwek

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 May Kwek

The forest stream

The forest stream

By May Kwek

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 May Kwek

Exultation of the sea

Exultation of the sea

By May Kwek

Look out to the sea!

From the unending shore

Look out! Look out!

It goes on forevermore!

Shinning in golden sun

The silver sparkling waves

With the crystal beauty

The glorious day has gave

Ships sail over it

Clouds dance in the shimmering light

Oh wondrous and wondrous!

The sea so bright!

Taste the salty sea air

As it lingers on your tongue

And within lies a song

That the sea breeze has sung!

Hummed by the whales

In their revels deep

Oh the unending sea!

Where beauty never sleeps!

Where the day sings its song

And the stars by night dance

Where the bold, brave and free

Set out to take their chance

Where dreams and hopes

Skip merrily with the waves

Where promises are met

And seeking hearts are saved

Oh look out! Look out!

Let no man pine on the shore

For behold the glorious sea

Goes on forevermore!

Copyright © 2017 by May Kwek

Evening’s Beginning

Evening’s Beginning

By May Kwek

Have you seen the evening's content?

As the light fades and falls

Things you knew morph their shape

Till you wonder if you knew them at all

A strange darkness descends

Upon the quietening of the air

And with the wind falls like leaves

The burdens of toil and care

And with its quiet comes the peace

Of the darkness of the night

Where what is far cannot be seen

Out of mind once out of sight

For as the sun fades to tomorrow

And the moon comes into view

The day and its troubles are over

But the night, my friends, is new

Copyright © 2017 by May Kwek

Wayside flower

Wayside flower

By May Kwek

Oh little flower growing on the wayside

Dancing with petals ever so bright

How you shine in the day long sun

And sleep gently when the day is done

You never notice the crowd that passes you by

For your thoughts reach for heaven’s sky!

For it you dance, in it joy you’ve found

Although you may be earthly bound

Oh little wayside flower, gentle and meek

Yet striving in beauty that which you seek

Little you know the enduring joy

You bring to those who pass you in toil!

So grow on, wayside flower and seek no other view

Than the azure blue sky constant but always new

And in your dreams, bloom ever so bright

And bestow on the passers-by some of your light!

Copyright © 2017 by May Kwek

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  

- Luke 12:27, NKJV

A home in the woods

A home in the woods

By May Kwek

I walked in the quiet woods

Where very few ever roam

And there amongst the towering trees

I made my soul a home

The blue sky was my ceiling

The trees my pillars and walls

The leaves my living carpet

And the roots were my floor

The sun was my lamp in the day

The moon and stars by night

The running brook was my playmate

Its song filled me with delight

The birds in the air were my wind chimes

Singing when the day was clear

The ferns my stairs to wonders

Everywhere far and near

The wind was my sweet refresher

My story teller in disguise

The creatures my daily companions

Rising with me at sunrise

Yes, I walked in the woods one day

And a sweet home I did find

For though my body departed

I left my heart and soul behind

Copyright © 2016 by May Kwek

A fickle twilight

A fickle twilight

By May Kwek

The deepening shadows

Are the herald of the night

The fading of the sky

Signals the twilight

Everywhere the sights darken

And shadows from their hiding emerge

Sparrows leave the darkening skies

And return home to their perch

The room grows ever darker

In the misty embrace of the night

Grey clouds from above

Cover the sun’s last waning lights

A low hum whispers

The steady beat of rain

Falling swiftly but quietly

Just outside the window pane

Yet the air feels quiet and still

Cool despite the absent wind

And the rain almost glides down

As though it’s always been

Then with a bright flash of lightning

Away disappears all calm

The sun bids a gleeful farewell

And the stormy twilight bids welcome

Copyright © 2016 by May Kwek

The two roses

The two roses

By May Kwek

I held two roses in my hand

Both red and in full bloom

Both smelled as sweet as the morning

As soft as silk from heaven’s loom

Both spoke of hopes and dreams

Of wonders and possibilities

Yet when I held them up to the sun

Some differences I could see

For one had petals bent one way

And the other did not

One had green leaves a plenty

The other didn’t have a lot

The red for one seemed bolder

The other slightly pale

As a messenger of life and dreams

Perform better it seemed one will

Yet as I held both to my chest

Could I consider the other deficient?

For God made each rose bloom

And he made each one different

Copyright © 2016 by May Kwek

Seasons of promise

Seasons of promise

By May Kwek

When spring touched the sky this year

I gave you a daisy fair

Small and slight though it was

It was tended with loving care

It swayed gaily in the spring breeze

Laughed in joy at the sun

With the fullness of youth and innocence

Of a life just begun

But spring blossomed into summer

And cares the daisy fades

So I gave you a lily white

As a gentle wish instead

It bloomed with the season

Shone like snow in the sun

As pure and as sweet from the beginning

Till its time was done

But I would not have you mourn dear heart

For the summer past, never forgotten

So I gave you an Iris bright

As summer burned into autumn

It was as violet as the heart of the sea

Quiet and sedate

Yet burning at the centre

With hope, wisdom and faith

It grew strong and true

Till the last flame of autumn fell

Then it was pressed into a book

To be kept safe and well

And as winter’s biting cold blew in

I placed the last pink carnation in your hand

As a promise honoured and true

I’ll never forget you, my friend

Copyright © 2016 by May Kwek

The Deepening Twilight

The Deepening Twilight

By May Kwek

It’s the end of the day again

The light begins to fade

And the sky slowly loses

The glow the sun had made

Bright blues give way to inky black

The sun must bow to the stars

Which have no warm light

When they are so far

Shadows deepen all around

Everything becomes less defined

There is coolness and isolation

In the oncoming night I find

It is sad and yet not sad

Like mist compared to rain

For there is no finality in this darkness

Just the circle beginning again

But twilight is the time of day

Which saddles in between

Belonging to neither world

Or so it would seem

Perhaps it’s in a different place

Where things are constantly flowing

And time feels like reality

When the sky gives it meaning

So as I watch the deepening twilight

As the day melts into night

It is as though I have to mourn

The arrow of time’s flight

Copyright © 2016 by May Kwek

Guardian of the night

Guardian of the night

By May Kwek

Guardian of the night

Quickly take your place tonight

Shine amongst the stars so bright

With your soft silvery light

Guide the lost in the darkness’s cold

Keep them in your comforting glow

Shine the path to their home

Or the path they chose to roam

Dance with the stars in the sky

Across the celestial plains, fly!

From there watch the sleeping souls below

And keep them safe, sound and whole

As the star studded sky you tread

Mark every tear that sheds

And show even though you seem alone

You are never ever really on your own

Oh Guardian of the night

Fail not your duty tonight!

To maintain hope in darkness as the earth turns

And the sun once more returns

Copyright © 2015 by May Kwek

The Mystery of the Night

The Mystery of the Night

By May Kwek

Ah well now it is strange indeed

The mysteries of the night

The light turns to darkness

And the darkness turns to light

There is no frenzy there is no buzz

Things are warm and cozy

And everywhere little children

Wait for a bedtime story

People retreat indoors

There is no need to be out

Stay out too long and others wonder

What mischief you are about

The night brings suspicisions 

As much as it brings rest

The darkness ever blinds our eyes

Putting sight to the test

The air grows quieter

Things start to still

And in the sky the stars twinkle

As they forever will

It is a fog indeed the night

Through which I cannot see

Beyond the ending of a day

Another yet to be

Copyright © 2015 by May Kwek

Yosemite

Yosemite

By May Kwek

There is a place carved by glaciers

That no one knew was there

It grew wild and unfettered

With freedom in the air

It was hidden away for eons

This temple of nature grand

Locked away for ages

From the sight of man

No one thought to look

For such a place could not exist

Such a place, so remote

It was easy to miss

But to see it, to discover it

Is worth every trouble to get there

For the place breathes of magic

And it lingers in the air

To see the brilliant Yosemite falls

Glide down to the earth

Like wisps of smoke slowly descending

While singing of the day with mirth

Then to go closer

Simply stop and stare

Hear the roar of the water

As the spray flies up to the air

To stand simply amazed

As the roaring falls transforms into a river

That weaves its way through the forest

As though strolling but even slower

And to hear the laughter of that river

As it skips over rocks and stones

Is to drink the deepest contentment

That I have ever known

But then to look up and stare

Uncomprehending at the mountains

At the glistening snow that powders it

And the musical silence, listen!

Listen to the song of the mountains

The majesty that fills your soul

The harmonizing of the trees

Upturns all beauty you have known

And to see the same snow on Half dome

Winding paths for you through the forest

Where as you walk the sweet singing of birds

Can be heard from amongst the trees caress

And the clear Merced river

As it silently flows

With water as clear as crystal

And the river bed shows

Oh but what are these words

But a lone lamp compared to the day

For some things make you catch your breath

But this takes it away

Copyright © 2014 by May Kwek