The best canvas

The best canvas

By May Kwek

I have never seen a canvas

As beautiful as the sky

With colours like a song

Among the clouds so high

At dawn and dusk it’s a rainbow

A mix of red, gold and green

With a special glow which makes it

Far too grand for a queen

At other times it’s blue

Like the ocean so deep

Sometimes it’s covered with clouds

Who are gathering to weep

At such times the skies are filled

With a powerful stormy grey

Blocking out the sun

And the blue ever so gay

I have never known a canvas

Which could elicit such emotions

Of happiness, content and fear

While changing its colourations

So don’t you think

That the sky is a marvellous thing?

Changing from red to blue to grey

In the time it takes to wink?

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek

It’s hard

It’s hard

By May Kwek

It is hard to do what I must do

Through experience I know this is true

But I will do it anyway

Throughout every night and day

I find that my passion is lacking

And that my faith needs more backing

In order to do what I dislike

And yet I know that it is right

No one said it would be easy

But I would do it anyway

Because I know that all this work

In the end must pay

Even if I can’t see the end

I know it is there

Even if I cannot tell

I just know that God cares

I know this must have a purpose

Though I can’t see it yet

I know there is a reason

Low spirits have me in their net

It is hard to do what I must

And not do what I want

But I will come through the dark

And bask in the sun

It is not the end

Though doubt has hit me

At the end of the tunnel

A light I still see

It is hard I must admit

But to defeat I will not submit

Low spirits or not I will carry on

Until I see the rising dawn

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek

To be a Tiger

To be a Tiger

By May Kwek

I cannot help but think

That I would be a pretty good tiger

Because I like the solitary

And I also like fire

Don’t you think then

That a flaming coat would be nice?

With days in the forest deep

And streams as cool as ice?

To laze around and sleep all day

And continue to do so at night

To hunt when I am hungry

And win every fight?

But then there is a problem

A very grave one indeed

For a hunter would kill me

If his sound I do not heed

But then again I still think it’s nice

To live life wild and free

Away from all these burdens

And society’s contraries

So yes I would like to be a tiger

And hide in the forest all day

And at night to use the moon

 To guide my lonely way

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek

Temper control

Temper control

By May Kwek

I really despise my temper

It is something I haven’t learnt to control

It bursts out of me at times

Especially when I am hungry or low

I crave the peace

The quiet rustlings of leaves

But because of this horrid temper of mine

I would feel anything but fine

I need to let go

To live and let live

And learn some self control

For life is not a show

I could make a mistake which I would always regret

Or create a memory I would never forget

Sweeter than speech is eloquent silence

Better than temper is forgiving action

The love and patience which my Lord does show

I really wish in me would grow

And tame my horrid beastly temper

Before it is something I cannot alter!

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek

Driving instructions

Driving instructions

By May Kwek

I remember when we were driving around one day

And we found that we had lost our way

So we took out a map and decided to check

But found that map reading skills was something we lacked

You were better so I had to drive

And you would tell me to turn left or right

But not long after, we soon found

That you were holding the map upside down

With that settled the trouble began

And for awhile never seemed to end

For though you could read the map

Your instructions were worse than the map’s!

You would tell me to turn there

And I would have to ask where

In return you would use your finger to point

Or to jab me in a joint!

Then I would give you an affronted stare

Which you replied with an angry glare

After which you would say, “Turn there!”

And I would promptly reply, “Where?”

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek

Preparing to study for the Midyear exams

Preparing to study for the Midyear exams

By May Kwek

As the exams are drawing nearer

I feel the need to plan

Because I know that I must do

The very best that I can

But now that I have counted

The work on my desk

I feel that even studying

Might be a kind of test

There is so much to cover

And seemingly so little time

I will be glad when this is over

And I can appreciate the sunshine

But I must keep going

And learn as much as I can

Because at the end of the day

A student is what I am

And perhaps who knows?

If I really try

I might find that that pile of work

Will no longer seem so high

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek

An unusual pencil case

An unusual pencil case

By May Kwek

If you saw me in school

You would have thought me dreadfully poor

Because my writing tools

Are in a ziplock bag I fear

Yes, that's right

A ziplock bag

Made of clear plastic

And as fat as a sack

But the truth is I'm not poor

And that the bag is fine

Although it is unconventional

The fact is it's mine!

The thing is I like it

Small, light and plain

With no added features

That threaten to make me vain

It is easy to carry around

Especially when you're in a rush

Because it just wraps around your pens

In a way that makes you gush 

But now as I look at its many holes

I feel that it is time to part

So farewell my quirky pencil box

I'll store my memories in my heart

Copyright © 2012 by May Kwek