Rain Tree Arcade

A short stretch of the road that encircles our Lake Gardens has been referred to as the Rain Tree Arcade because the tall Rain trees planted along one side of the road arches over the road to the lake on the other side with the tips of their outer branches hovering just above the water of the lake as if thirsty for a drink, and on a rainy day, one can actually see the trees take a sip of the lake.

Flower at the Flower Dome

I visited the Flower Dome at the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore recently. Inside are flowers from all over the world and I saw this one at the Australian Garden. I am sure our Australian friends can tell us what flower this is.

Drain Fishing

Teach a man to fish and he will fish ............
on a Wednesday morning.

Sails in the Sky

Wash and clean;
wipe and dry;
that’s what I do all day.

It’s free time;
lighting a cigarette,
I squat down,
back to the wall,
and wipe my face with the towel
that’s wrapped around my neck.

I look up
at those towers
that are like sails in the sky,
painted gold and orange
by the dying sun.
They seem so far away.

Then tiny yellow lights on the sails
start to twinkle
and I can imagine
the family sitting down for dinner –
Pa, Ma and the kids –
chatting and smiling
amid the clatter of forks and spoons.

I take a drag on the cigarette
and watch the grey tip turn red,
then the smoke rings
floating away.
Pa and Ma are no more.

I’m hungry now,
have to grab a bite;
that’s when the yellow lights of the car arc in.
“How long is it going to take?” he asks.
“About 15 minutes, sir and it will be spotlessly clean.”

Wash and clean;
wipe and dry;
that’s what I do all day.

Roses

I saw this bouquet of roses on a street in Jeju, Korea on a cold spring morning.

{soft babble]

soft babble
by the thicket of bamboo
a mountain stream

Sonnet Sequence

Pic by lisadel65

Introduction:
I have been given an assignment to write a sonnet sequence. Although I protested vehemently, they insisted that the theme must be Love.
It was hard but I have finished the assignment at last. They may not like it but it is their fault; what does someone in his second childhood know about love?


Spring # 1

A red breast’s song proclaims the start of spring;
its sweet tune rings throughout the tranquil hill.
The slumbering trees know that this will bring
an end to their long shivering ordeal.

Although spring buds abound in breezy May,
there’s only one that I in truth adore.
Its elegant charm thoroughly holds sway;
I am ensnared, but joyful to the core.

Winds chase the rain across this chilly land
and branches scream and thrash about in fear.
I watch aghast at my beloved and
on her pale frightened cheek, I see a tear.

A little ruckus can give you a scare
when you’re in love because you learn to care.


Summer # 2

The summer sun, Prince Charming of the sky,
makes his flamboyant entrance in a blaze;
he snares the rainbow with his hot bright rays
and drives away the rain as calm winds sigh.

Enraptured flower buds exclaim: “Oh my!”
as they blush under Charming’s sultry gaze.
This places poor me in a lovelorn haze
for with them is the lovely bud I eye.

The buds hike up their scarlet skirts in dance
as they bloom into beauties of desire;
I am enthralled so I declare my love.

My gorgeous flower looks at me askance
with penetrating eyes that brim with fire,
then cracks that ravishing smile from above.


Fall # 3

Beneath the clear blue sky, she sways each day
to summer’s sultry beat and dazzling sound;
her scarlet skirt in tempting disarray
as she sashays to wild cheers all around.

A wicked glance from her and I am bound
by love’s seductive bond yet I will smile
for if we kiss, her lips will sure astound
and I’ll dream of cavorting down the aisle.

Our love should last for more than just a while
but then the flame inexplicably dies.
Alas, I’m devastated by her guile;
her web of treachery, deceit and lies.

Like fall, our love begins to slowly chill
but in my heart, I truly love her still.


Winter # 4

The cold and piercing winds blow autumn’s gold away
as skeins of migrating geese make a lovely sight.
The sun ignores the angry protests of the night
and trails those migrants therefore cutting short the day.

The flower I adore, her beauty in decay,
sports withered petals that pronounce her faded plight.
Although it’s sad, she recognizes nature’s right
and holds back her tears so as not to show dismay

As fall sails into winter, I plead to the sky,
“Let her lay by my side before we kiss goodbye.”

As we sit by the fire and hark back to the days
when we were on a lark and dancing in the rain,
I am contented, basking in her loving gaze,
‘cause when the snowflakes stop, it will be spring again.




Sonnet forms:

1. English
2. Italian
3. Spenserian
4. French