Sun and Shade

Write in the park, Day 12.

The sun is warm, it stirs our zest,
The shade is cool, it's where we rest.

The sun gives strength, and power, and might,
The shade gives respite from battles we fight.

Sun and Shade

In the sun we dance and celebrate,
In the shade we sit and contemplate.

To the sun we run to chase our dreams,
To the shade we retreat, ourselves to redeem.

"Sun and Shade"
— by Huang Bing Yao
Tue 31May22 2009 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthepark

Buildings

I look across the city from a hill,
endless blocks of buildings do I see.
The hill is quiet, the morning air is still,
a gentle wind of thought blows upon me:

"Beneath those buildings made of stone and steel,
stand many other buildings big and small.
Buildings that we neither see nor feel,
they cast no shadows, make no sound at all.

A view of Kepong and northern KL

Teachers building students' knowledge and skill,
Parents building families at home.
Young people building careers with strong will,
Merchants building wealth in days to come."

Beneath those buildings standing tall and strong,
are buildings that we build our whole life long.

"Buildings" - a sonnet
by Huang Bing Yao
Mon 30May22 1344 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthecity #sonnet

The Dawn

As the sun peeks over the horizon
homes begin to light up
we prepare to work and play

As Dawn flies over the earth
it heralds the arrival of
a completely fresh new day

I wish this Dawn will bring
a day when we are set free
from all sadness, sorrow, and tears

I wish for a new Dawn
when wars and destruction cease,
and disasters no longer do we fear.

Desa Parkcity at dawn

The Dawn of a new day
when by kindness is cruelty defeated,
and by honesty is deceit repelled.

A Dawn that brings the day
when greed gives way to charity,
when heaven drives away all hell.

"The Dawn"
by Huang Bing Yao
Sat 28May22 1947 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthecity

A train ride

I'm going on a journey
I feel like a child again
all excited and happy
at riding the express train

The thrill of hearing clickety-clack
and the occasional thump
of many wheels on the railway track
going over occasional bumps

The express train

The fun of rocking side to side,
the train at times will roll,
beautiful sceneries outside
through the window I behold

I feel a strange excitement
seated aboard the train
It brings such pleasant moments
I'd take the train again.

"A train ride"
by Huang Bing Yao
Fri 27May22 2334 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthecity

The Old Lamp Post

Write in the park Day 11

An old lamp post
stands silently in the park,
at a corner where garden paths meet.
He is there in broad daylight
as well as in the dark,
upright on his strong and sturdy feet.

The old lamp post
has lived a hard life,
been through many a difficult time.
Assailed by heavy rain
lashed by storms and strife,
he bears the scars of dirt and grime.

The Lamp Post

The old lamp post
is dimmed but not snuffed out,
weakened and yet not frail.
Under the scorching sun
he stands dignified and proud,
to do his duty he does not fail.

He's been struck but not beaten
ignored but not forsaken,
harrassed by dogs yet not afraid.
He's been threatened but not subdued
leaning but not fallen,
into oblivion he does not fade.

This old lamp post
still stands silently in the park,
for many more years he will last.
Shining forth his dim light
each time it gets dark,
for lovers to walk quietly past.

"The Old Lamp Post"
— by Huang Bing Yao
Thu 26May22 0857 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthepark

The bamboo trail

Write in the park Day 10 — a sonnet

A long uncertain trail before you lies
Through a bamboo forest it does wind
Rays of sunlight shines through from the sky
You step forward and leave your past behind

Each shoot of bamboo a day in life you've spent
An accomplishment or mistake you have made
Your deeds or misdeeds the bamboo represent
Kind or cruel words that you have said

Bamboo trail

Joys or sorrows that you have been through
A memory that you cannot forget
Happy moments, times of sadness too
Feelings of satisfaction or regret

The bamboo forest never leaves your view
You don't take the trail, it is taking you.

"The bamboo trail" — a sonnet
by Huang Bing Yao
Tue 24May22 0854 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #sonnet
#writeinthepark

Walking on water

Write in the park Day 09

I see water all around me
a few deep breaths I take
as ripples glisten brightly in the sun

I put my best foot forward
and trudge across the lake
hesitant footsteps plodding one by one

Bridge on the water

I'm floating away slowly
yet I'm firmly on my feet
along the crooked path I make my way

I'm sinking underneath
yet dry surface do I meet
for all the time above the lake I stay

I'm walking on water
but I'm really on the ground
unhurriedly along the bridge I tread

I'm in peril of the deep
yet I am safe and sound -
to walk on water I am not afraid

"Walking on water"
— by Huang Bing Yao
Mon 23May22 2150 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthepark

Gnawing on the fence

I have a gnawing feeling
as I sit atop the fence
I hear my old friends calling
but my heart says, Go not thence.

It is indeed a nagging pain
choosing between two sides
Should I with my friends remain
or with my heart abide?

Gnaw

A wicked situation I face
as a fence-sitter, I fear
If only there's a simple way
to make fence disappear.

So on the fence I'll gnaw each day
chewing with all my might.
When at last it goes away
there will be no more sides.

"Gnawing on the fence"
— by Huang Bing Yao
Sun 22May22 1624 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#daydreams

Best friends

Write in the park Day 08

Two dainty flowers
grow up together
blooming as childhood friends

One a bold purple
the other a timid pink
yet on each other they depend

One is bright and cheerful
the other soft and shy
both of dissimilar kinds

Though one is loudly outspoken
the other quietly subdued
yet closer friends you cannot find

These two different flowers
they're there for one another
always ready a hand to lend

Having little in common
yet getting along together
they're each other's best friend.

"Best friends"
by Huang Bing Yao
Fri 20Mar22 2127 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthepark

Eat, Sleep, Play

They eat, and sleep, and then they play,
what little babies do all day.
When they start to smell,
loudly do they yell,
they will not listen to what you say.

"Eat, sleep, play"
- a limerick
by Huang Bing Yao
Wed 18May22 1111 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#daydreams #limerick

A glimpse of heaven

Write in the Park Day 07

(Hello everyone!
I'm back, writing in the park again. I took this photo from my window seat while flying over the South China Sea, returning from Kota Kinabalu last Friday 13May22.)

High up in the clear blue skies
way beyond the clouds
A tranquil calm and emptiness
Is this what heaven's about?

In this borderless expanse
we fly from cloud to cloud
A life of freedom that never ends
Is this what heaven's about?

Will there be days, will there be nights
in this heavenly space
Or will there be only daylight
throughout our heavenly days?

A glimpse of the sky above the clouds

How I wish that we could live
a tranquil peaceful life
High above our troubled earth
away from war and strife.

How I wish that we could fly
in skies of heavenly blue
Free from hunger and illnesses
and grief and cruelty too.

O how I wish for heaven's days
joyous and free from care
A heaven where there are no nights
nor sorrow nor despair.

"A glimpse of heaven"
by Huang Bing Yao
Tue 17May22 0855 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthepark

Pompous Plates

Write in the city 10May22 (a sonnet)

Plates of fine china, proud, indifferent,
Each one grandly installed on its throne.
Born in families reputable, affluent,
In grace incomparable, in beauty well known.

Plates of fine art, impressive and charming,
Proudly beams at every passer-by
Who stops in awe, beholding and admiring,
To impress their audience, they need not try.

Pompously installed in their thrones

Plates of high standing, nonchalant, reserved,
Exudes an aura of grandeur unmatched.
Getting the rapt attention they deserve,
From their audience they appear detached.

Day and night, enthroned in regal state
On tall pedestals, they are pompous plates.

"Pompous Plates"
by Huang Bing Yao
Tue 10May22 2017 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthecity

Delayed

Write in the city 09May22

You search for dates and times of flights,
select, confirm, and pay
Your boarding pass is printed right
you wait for departure day

To airport on a journey long
in bright and cheerful mood
Your heart is filled with happy song
and thoughts of all things good

On arriving, Alas! you're stumped
by bad news that you fear
from your Row One seat you're bumped
to Row Fifty at the rear.

The departures information screen

Another scare comes from the flight
departures information screen:
Words DELAYED flash red and bright
for flights that can be seen

It is a day of bad delays
at the crowded airport hall
with patience tried in many ways
you wait for your boarding call.

"Delayed"
by Huang Bing Yao
Mon 09May22 1119 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthecity

Walked by the dog

Write in the City 08May22

On a lead, on a lead
your dog walks ahead
It stops to smell the roses
Your dog leads you

Clean up, clean up
your dog takes toilet break
It leaves you with a little mess
Your dog commands you

Walked by the dog

Walk the dog, walk the dog
What you set out to do
has now unwittingly changed
Your dog is walking you

"Walked by the dog"
by Huang Bing Yao
Sun 08May22 1059 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds

In your dreams

Write in the city 07May22

If I could appear in your dream
and meet you face to face,
it matters not if we're separated
by journeys of many days

If I could answer in my dream
a question you have asked,
no longer will you have to wait
'til another day has passed.

If we could promise to meet up
in our dreams tonight,
and have some tea together
that will be a great delight.

A dreamy view of the city skyline

If we could meet our long lost friends
in our dreams at will,
we won't need to call or write
or send any message still.

If all our dreams were just as real
as when we are awake,
then the saying, "In your dreams"
a different meaning takes.

"In your dreams"
by Huang Bing Yao
Sat 07May22 1730 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#daydreams #writeinthecity

A Story Book

Write in the Park Day 06

A story book is like a ship
that sails the deep blue seas
through calm waters, ferocious storms
on a voyage you will be

A story book is like a train
that goes on endless tracks
up the mountains, down the gullies
you won't be coming back

A story book is like an eagle
that brings you up the sky
to look at people down below
and see them laugh and cry

A view from my park bench

A story book is like a rabbit
that burrows down a hole
through places dark and dangerous
where mysteries unfold

A story book is like a cure
for all your ills and woes
Whenever you need some respite
it is the place to go

So lay your hands on a story book
when you see one come your way
Feel the joy of reading it
and read one everyday.

"A story book"
by Huang Bing Yao
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#daydreams #writeinthepark

Reeds in the Water

Write in the Park Day 05
(a sonnet)

I see a clump of reeds inside a pond
quietly growing up out of the water
With each other they seem to form a bond
huddled together, holding one another

I see a clump of reeds steadfast and strong
bravely standing, guarding their watery home
They say to all who chance to come along
"You - are not allowed near us to come"

Reeds in the water

I see a clump of reeds, upwards they grow
stretching, rising, reaching for the sky
From the water they would like to go
to touch the clouds, unceasingly they try

A clump of reeds in water do I spy
standing quietly, ignoring my passing by

"Reeds in the water"
by Huang Bing Yao
Thu 05May22 0837 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #sonnet

O Weeping Willow

Write in the Park Day 04
(when rain falls on a weeping willow, rainwater flows down the long drooping branches of slender leaves, giving the appearance that the willow is weeping)

O weeping willow, how you weep
under a shower of rain
Streams of tears you cannot keep
bring forth your sorrow and pain

Your feeble branchlets soft and frail
like pendulums they sway
When endless drops of rain assail
to wash your sadness away

A weeping willow

Your slender leaves with pointed tips
are stained by countless tears
Each tell the world with silent lips
sad stories through the years

O weeping willow, how you keep
on weeping in the rain
Your tears of sorrow dark and deep
flow down from all your pain

"O Weeping Willow"
by Huang Bing Yao
Wed 04May22 0853 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds #writeinthepark

I wish I were

Write in the Park Day 03
(thinking in the subjunctive mood)

I wish I were so rich
that my mansion were grand and tall
but I am rather poor,
my house is simple and small.

I wish I were so famous
that all would admire me
but I am largely unknown
my achievements none can see.

I wish I were so powerful
before me the world would bow
but I am simply powerless,
I toil by the sweat of my brow

Two park benches, one wishing to be the other

I wish I were, but I am not
I wish I could, but I can not
I wish I had, but I have not

Until one day I woke up from my dreams
to a world of anguished screams

from
the needy who wish to be helped,
the sick who wish to be healed,
the oppressed who wish to be free
the hungry who wish to be filled,

Poor people in dire need I see,
People who wish
they were blessed like me.

"I wish I were"
by Huang Bing Yao
Tue 03May2022 0848 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#heartfelt
#writeinthepark

A Straight Path

Write in the Park Day 02:
(an ekphrastic poem)

A straight flat path
a little rough
a little uneven

with most of its original blue worn off
by the wheels of a hundred bicycles
by the steps of a thousand feet
by the dripping of a million raindrops
leaving remnants of blue patches
struggling to survive.

A straight path
bounded on its left and on its right
by straight rows of straight trees
with their slender trunks
covered by lime green moss,

like a guard of honour
standing at attention
saluting my arrival
watching me walk past with indifference.

Walking down the straight path, at Westlake Garden

A straight path
leads me straight ahead
coaxes me on towards the other end

where I will receive
my medal of accomplishment:
of having finished my morning walk.

"A straight path"
by Huang Bing Yao
Mon 02May22 0834 hrs GMT+8
#poetry #poetrybybingyao
#sightandsounds

A Write in the Park (Day 01)

What shall I write?
What shall I write?
I'm seated on a park bench
with a big pond in my sight

Birds are chirping all around me
fresh morning air I breathe
Under the shade of an old gnarled tree
with cool damp grass beneath.

"A Write in the Park, Day 1"
by Huang Bing Yao
01May22 0828 hrs GMT+8
#poetry
#poetrybybingyao #sightandsounds

A view of the lake from my park bench in Westlake Garden