Friday, July 10, 2009

Indulgence

Tonight, I feel indulgence is not chocolate or a fancy meal, but a good conversation with a friend that lingers long after, that brings a smile in after-thought, that seems too short even as day converts to night, that obliterates the surrounding chatter into noise, that creates a longing for the next conversation.


For other thoughts: Sunday Scribblings

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Human

Is it human to feel serenity in the power of cello music in the dark car cabin, as the voiceless GPS device projects each turn onto a dark background? That was the feeling I had last night as I navigated through the streets to find my reacquainted friend's home. I was used to a voice guiding me to the destination, but this night, there was no voice, only cello music. The lights from the street lamps outside provided a sense of romanticism. Thoughts of reminiscence and fantasy flashed through my mind like the scenes from a movie. When I arrived, the music had ceded to the Bluetoothed voice of my friend on the car's speakers, asking me to come on up.


Other thoughts at Sunday Scribblings

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Oh My(,) Canada!

My oh my, a land for all
Where maple blooms in the fall
From Green Gables to Edmonton Mall
From Great Lakes to Rockies tall
Oh my, Canada!
A land for all!

My oh my, a land for me
That took my family as refugee
From penniless to mortgage free
From boomers to generation three
Oh my Canada!
I stand on guard for thee!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Absurd

Absurdity is relative.
Eat with two sticks? Absurd!
Eat with both hands? Absurd!
Eat with no utensils? Absurd!
Absurdity was absurd!


Other absurd thoughts: Sunday Scribblings

Friday, June 12, 2009

Unconditional Trust

On the edge of the bed
Tentative
Hands stretched
"Jump!"
Tentative
"Jump!"
Eyes closed
Jumps
Into Daddy's arms.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Disconnected

There have been moments in my life when I felt a sudden disconnectedness, as if I was outside looking at myself. It was as if there was a sudden realization of my place in existence.  The feeling was strange and lonely.  It made me want to go and immediately hug everyone around me.

Luckily, I snapped out of it in a flash.

Was I going crazy?

Friday, March 13, 2009

Scorpio Man

Summoned by Artemis
Courageous attack
Orion destroyed
Reward in heavens
Pluto truly rules
Indifferent to Mars
Opal the stone
...-={<== heavens
Magnesium the metal
Always passionate
Never insincere

Other thoughts here: http://acrosticonly.blogspot.com/

Fork in the Road

When you see a fork in the road
Don't just stand there
Take it
And put it in the trash can
Unless...
You're on the way to a barbeque
But forgot to bring a fork
Then wash it
And use it when you get there
But don't just stand there


Other thoughts here: http://onesingleimpression.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 27, 2009

Our Moon

(Sung to the song, "The Moon Represents My Heart", made famous in Asia by Teresa Teng, 1953-1995; remade by Kenny G.; my favourite is the piano rendition - videos below the lyrics)

Tonight, our moon
So brightly shines
The love that's in your eyes

Love that never dies
Let the tears subside
Soon our hearts will beat as one

Tonight, our moon
So brightly shines
The warmth deep from your heart

Hold your hand in mine
Take me to your heart
That is where my soul belongs

True love in our twilight
Let this feeling never end
Your love under moonlight
Want to tell the world I love you

Tonight, our moon
So brightly shines
The road that leads to you

When I hold you tight
Twilight to the night
Makes our moon ever so bright

Sing, sing a love that's strong
Let this music never end
Listen, this tune's our song
In the twilight we will dance

Tonight, our moon
So brightly shines
The beauty of your face

Just one kiss of your lips
A cup of coffee, many sips
Taste from heaven up above

Never ever fly away
If you ever lose your way
Let our moon show you to my heart



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Teng



Saturday, February 21, 2009

Dandelion: Acrostic

Do you feel I
Am
Not a flower?
Do you
Envy my
Longevity?
I love you
Only more
Needlessly.


Other thoughts here: Acrostic Poetry Only

Monday, February 16, 2009

Spectral

Thought I saw you.

Thought.

Saw.

Did.

See.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentine's Day Acrostic

A bit late and corny, but oh well... it was for Valentine's Day!

Visions of you
Always fill me with
Love
Even when you're
Not in
The mood!
I'm
Never
Ever sad
'cause
Seeing you

Darling is
All I ever
Yearn to do.


Other thoughts here: Acrostic Poetry Only
Also submitted to Monday Poetry Train Revisited 'cause I'm a bit tired and more than a bit lazy.

Please Come Again!

I have to share a story that happened today. My son, Justin, decided to go snowboarding for the very first time in his life. He went over to his uncle's place to sleep over yesterday so that they could get a head start today. My wife and I stayed in town because of a birthday celebration with some friends.

As we were finishing up dim sum with our friends, shortly after noon, I got a call from my brother. He and Justin were heading back. Justin had fallen near the end of his lesson and hurt his arm. The medics at the slopes bandaged him up but suggested an x-ray be taken as a precaution in case it was fractured or broken.

We decided it would best for them to head back into town rather go to another city further north. With that, we headed to the hospital where we were to meet the two snowboarders.

Of course, at the hospital, there was no free parking. In fact, not only was the parking not free, the parking fee was exorbitantly high, but that's another rant I'll have to write about another time. After paying the eighteen-buck maximum fee (the alternative was $4 per half hour!), a receipt was dispersed.

Aside from the usual listing of the fee, taxes and disclaimers about lost items, it also read:


Thank you! Please come again!

Nice, isn't it?

The hospital parking loves our business!

After four hours in the emergency triage, we got a five minute assessment from a resident, who suggested Justin get an x-ray.

No, really?

The x-ray confirmed that Justin's wrist was indeed broken. The doctors installed a plastered cast on his arm, but said that was only temporary. We are to bring Justin back for a fibre glass replacement on Friday. In other words, "please come again!"

The hospital parking loves our business!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Sports

For some ideas, I decided to look up "sports" in a reputable dictionary. I decided to check out the Merriam-Webster dictionary. I didn't really get "sports" but I did get "sport" and I was shocked to learn a couple of things:
  • sports can be really enjoyable (!)
  • writing this blog is a sport (hint: it's my source of diversion)

See the definition of sport from Merriam-Webster: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sport[2]

I was talking to my son Justin some time ago. I told him I used to be able to do that kung fu move where you're on your back and you flip onto your feet with one push. Justin laughed his head off in disbelieve. He seriously thought I was pulling his leg! I really have to find a way to prove to him that I used to be very athletic. In fact, I was a champion runner and jumper. I need to dig up those medals from, so, so many years ago.


Other thoughts here: Sunday Scribblings

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Movement

Slithering through my mind
My bow moves from tip to base
Smooth notes my fingers find
Deep vibes boom from my bass


Other thoughts there One Single Impression

These Numbers!

These numbers
They dance madly
Through my head
End up in
A weird function
Whose limit reaches
Infinity.

A zero pops up
Starts to multiply
Like viruses
It creates itself
Destroys those ones
Divide and conquer
Undefined.

Vectors poke through
From dimensions
Higher than three
My brain explodes
Collapses inversely
By factors of pi
Squared.

These numbers
They never stop
Their dirty tricks
Become complex
In my fertile mind
Jumbled in utter
Randomness.


Other thoughts here: Monday Poetry Train Revisited

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Art

Stared at the thing
For many a minute
Deciphering!
Deciphering!

Seemed to stare back
Then looked away
Wondering!
Wondering!

For the life of me
Couldn't figure it out
Baffling!
Baffling!

Not a clue what it was
But liked staring at it
That thing!
That thing!



Other thoughts at Sunday Scribblings

Monday, February 02, 2009

The Blogsphere

Tell me a story of
Hope and
Enchantment

Blasts of
Love and
Oodles of
Goodness
Shining through each
Paragraph of
Humanity and
Everlasting truth that
Reverberates in
Eternity

Other poetry: Acostic Poetry and Monday Poetry Train Revisited

Slowly

Bright red
Burgundy
Move

Bright red
Burgundy
Move

Bright red
Burgundy
Move

Bright red
Burgundy
Move

Bright red
Burgundy
Move

.
.
.

Home.



Other thoughts at One Single Impression

Friday, January 30, 2009

Regrets

Regrets? Of course I can think of a bunch. Although, I never dwell on them. The fact of the matter is that there are so many paths in life, so many cross-roads, so many decisions, so many circumstances, and so forth. How can one expect to make perfect decisions all of the time?

If I had to name one regret, it would be not extracting more history out of my grandfather before he passed away. There were so many questions I wish I would have asked him before Alzheimer's disease took hold of him and it was too late. I wish I had spent more time with him and less on my own interests.

That's probably one of the few true regrets that I have. The other many, many things I wish I had done or not done, or done better, I don't consider regrets, for this simple reason: making decisions that end up being wrong is a part of life.

Other thoughts here: Sunday Scribblings

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Our Box of Haunting Memories

Our box lies temptingly there.
No, I can't.
Haunting memories will return.
Oh, I must.
Those browning photographs.
Just this once.
The thoughtful greeting cards.
Here I go.
Beautiful images come to life.
There she is.
She was sitting by the fountain.
By my side.
Reflections of her moonlit face.
Oh, so sweet.
Birthdays, Christmases, Valentines.
My heart stops.
Tears were in her lovely eyes.
I awake.
Haunting memories in my mind.
She is gone.

Other thoughts here: Sunday Scribblings and Monday Poetry Train

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Heartbreaking Visitation

I attended the visitation of my good friend's mom, who passed away last Wednesday of cancer. The occasion in itself was very sad, but what I noticed next was totally heartbreaking. It took me a while to figure it out but when I finally noticed, my heart sank.

When my wife and I got into the chapel, the traditional Taoist ceremony was already progressing so we quickly did our three bows to the large picture of the deceased and then turned to do a single bow to my friend and her family, as instructed by the funeral director.

We then sat down in one of the pews and quietly observed the ceremony. As I sat there, I took a look at the table again where the large picture of the deceased was placed, surrounded by all the food and other items that she enjoyed when she was alive. Digesting the image of all the items on the table, I finally noticed another smaller table.

On the smaller table was a teddy bear, a baby bottle and what appeared to be the picture of a baby. I was shocked at the sight. I absolutely did not expect to see this and was taken aback that I didn't notice this in my haste earlier.

After some time, the ceremony neared an end and the family was asked to proceed to the front of the tables to offer incense for the deceased. My friend's little three-year old niece was among the family members, so she was also given an incense stick to offer. After the family placed all their incense in front of the deceased, the funeral director lit another batch and each family member proceeded to place a second incense stick on the smaller table in front of the baby picture. When it came to my friend's little niece, the funeral director said, "go ahead and offer the incense to your little sister."

At that moment my heart absolute sank to the ground. We had seen my friend's sister-in-law over the holidays and everything seemed fine. As we left the visitation I asked my friend what happened to the baby and it turned out the baby girl was born with no heartbeat the very day before her grandmother passed away!

I cannot imagine what my friend's brother is going through - he lost his daughter and mom in one shot. Totally heartbreaking.

This really puts life in perspective. So many of us are experiencing financial loss, but no financial loss can ever compare to the loss that my friend and her family experienced.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Fading Memories

Sparks deep within
Ignite
Grab hold
Gone

Light seeping through
Fading
Shadows
Rest

Distant Visions
Lucent
Faces
Lost

---------
More thoughts at One Single Impression and Monday Poetry Train

Friday, January 16, 2009

Pilgrimage into Mind

When this phrase, "pilgrimage into mind", came into my mind, I thought for sure it's a cliche. But, to my surprise, a Google search came back with no results! Although, "pilgrimage into the mind" returned seven items about meditation. And the blog address pilgrimageintomind.blogspot.com is also not taken - so I took it for now!

I'm now convinced this phrase is not a cliche and I can safely write thoughts about it, without being ridiculed (not that that would have stopped me anyway).

One of my favourite things to do, which I have fewer and fewer chances to do as life gets more and more hectic, is to sit somewhere quiet and do absolutely nothing. And I mean nothing. And I don't mean sleeping. I mean sit there semi-consciously, and simply do nothing but think, with no distractions; no television; no baby crying; no telephone ringing; no Blackberry messages; no meetings; nothing. Ok, perhaps some music.

I would love this kind of "me time" regularly to explore those thoughts that I have set aside. I believe meditation is one activity that many of us, me the most guilty of all, don't do enough of.

As I write this I'm trying to think what those thoughts might be and as soon as a thought comes up about some distant memory, it gets bombarded out of existence with a dozen other "more pressing" thoughts. Pathetic, isn't it?

In any pilgrimage into mind, I would not set an agenda (this is not a company meeting for goodness' sake). I would just let my mind do its thing; let it explore whatever thoughts come, no matter how ridiculous it might seem before or afterwards. I hope to use each pilgrimage to learn a little more about myself. What is the first thing I see when I close my eyes? What is the last? Do the thought images get clearer over time like they once did?

Perhaps I will set a weekly timeslot, say every Friday night, for my pilgrimage and write about it at my newly found blog, pilgrimageintomind.blogspot.com. Let's see what happens... Perhaps you would like to do the same and write about it too? (What's another writing prompt, right?)


For other thoughts jump here: Sunday Scribblings

Monday, January 12, 2009

Our Paradise

Our wooden sanctuary absorbs
The yonder gentle splatter
Of the swaying waves that
Serenades the rain above

Our hammock lightly swings
A carefree soothing lullaby
To obliviate the burdens
We yearn to leave behind

Our tired souls deflate atop
The warm and patient breeze
Disturbed only by the chirping
Of a careless wandering bird

Our melded consciousness drifts
Into a timeless embracement of
Orgasmic indulgence that longs
To keep our paradise forever



Other thoughts at: One Single Impression and Monday Poetry Train Revisited

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Organic Skin

Is there any other kind of skin but?
Would you call your leather pants
That tightly wraps your curvy butt
That inspires whistles and cheery chants
That conjures thoughts bordering sin
That draws drools and doddery pants
Anything other than your organic skin?


Other thoughts here: Monday Poetry Train Revisited, here: Sunday Scribblings, and here: One Single Impression

Friday, January 02, 2009

For Richer or Poorer...?

Both...

we hope and work for a richer life than we currently have

AND

we pray and give hope to those who we feel are poorer.

-------------------------------------------------------
A Proud Moment:

My proudest ever "richer/poorer" moment was saving a couple thousand dollars in grade six from helping the school stamp textbooks and working a couple of paper routes, and then helping my father pay off the mortgage on the modest condo our family had lived in, and had the opportunity of buying a couple of years after coming to Canada, as refugees with naught a penny to our names.



For other thoughts, browse to Sunday Scribblings