Poems for you

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

A birthday’s joy

By May Kwek

The sun rose bright today

Even as it set my latest year

Warm and good it was

So bright and so clear

The day seemed perfect

The sun shone so bright

The birds chirped in the trees

And the wind was swift and light

I was surprised by well wishes

From so many today

I had never expected

The many that came my way

So yes it was good day

But even if it was not

And the skies were dark and grey

And everyone forgot

The smile I wore

Would still grace my face

Even if to all else

It seemed out of place

For I borrowed it not from the sun

I did not need its mirth

Nor from the trees and the flowers

That bloomed from the earth

It sprung not from the well wishes

I gratefully received

It did not come from the blessings today

As others may believe

For the joy I felt came not

From my happy circumstance

What’s based on fact cannot

Be swayed by winds of chance

For its roots were planted years ago

And today when I beheld the morn

I thanked God for his blessing

The gift that I was born

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

I've been there

By May Kwek

“Look at that land over there”

The others with me cried

“It looks so bare, so empty

Hidden from the light”

“Who goes there?” They asked

And a voice answered from the air

“Those who don’t belong

Are banished over there”

A shiver went down their spines

And they stayed away

The barren land a haunting memory

Every single day

They huddled together in groups

Each trying to be the same

To not belong was a horror

A fear without a name!

So anyone who couldn’t be

Who just wouldn’t belong

Were cast aside quickly

For indeed, they must be wrong!

So no one noticed when I left

Never to return

Except the voice who whispered to me

“Why won’t you learn?”

“See that land over there?

It’s desolate and cold

The chill bites not your bones

But even your soul”

“You will be sent there soon

If you don’t hurry and join the rest

It’s easy, just be the same

And your true self repress”

I turned to reply

And the voice seemed surprised

As I turned towards the land

And a smile met my eyes

“Oh Fear,” I replied

To that voice in the air

“You can’t scare me with that

You see, I’ve been there”

Saturday, March 3, 2018

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

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

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas’ gift

By May Kwek

Christmas is a time most dear

A time of wondrous giving

When the goodwill of all the year

Fills the air with blessing

When smiles grace every face

A gift to themselves and all

And music plays in every place

And there always seems to be more

When friends send cards and letters

With just simple greetings

But what really matters

Is the thoughts that they are bringing

When family can gather around

And put simply put aside

The subjects that make so many frown

And sit round the fire’s light

Oh yes Christmas is filled with joy

From these little presents

And every little girl and boy

Learns that this is the reason

That Christmas is such a wonderful thing

Because it is always giving

It is the spirit with which the air sings

It is the song of rejoicing

For with Christmas came

The greatest gift of all

The one with the dearest of names

Our Saviour, born for all

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Have you heard?

By May Kwek

There is a gossip in the marketplace

There is a rumour in Bethlehem

Listen! Listen!

Can you hear them?

“Have you heard?” in a voice low

The women quietly say

That the King invited 3 wise men

To dine with him today?

I have heard they carry great gifts

Myrrh, frankincense and gold

Why are they coming here?

What stories have they been told?

“Have you heard?” in a voice of awe

The men quietly whisper

That Zachariah speaks again?

And Elizabeth is a mother?

They say the child is named John

That he will be the voice in the wilderness

Imagine, just imagine

Who he will herald in greatness!

“Have you heard?” in joyous laughter

The children ask as they play

I’ve heard a voice in the wind whisper

That the Angels will sing today!

I wonder why they are singing

Is something happening today?

I have asked mother and I have asked father

But they haven’t heard so they say

“Have you heard?” in exultation

Asks the Angels on high

A miracle is about to happen

Oh let out a glorious cry!

Oh Bethlehem! They cry

As they gather to sing

Have you heard? They ask

You will welcome the King!

“And have you heard?” in a mighty voice

Asks the Almighty God

I have descended from heaven

To with the lowest trod

For tonight I will come

And be among my creation

For you whom I dearly love

I’ve come to bring salvation!

Oh have you heard?

Pages

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Monday, December 25, 2017

Sunday, December 24, 2017