12 Heralding The New Year With Music And Fireworks

Happy 2018 my wonderful friends,
I wish you a year filled with joyous moments,

And if you're hit with life's twists and bends,
I wish you strength and perseverance.

May you be blessed with all things good,
May your days be warmed by love and kindness,
Let no negative situation ruin your mood,

Do what you need to find your happiness.

Release the chains of hurt and regret,
Live a life of adventure and cheer,
Remember these wise words - forgive and forget,

It is the secret to feeling better. 💝

Happy New Year! 

~ Sharon D.

Ten, nine, eight ...one, boom! Fireworks lit the sky. I stood rooted to the quiet spot, mesmerised by the flowery display of light above. I wasn't the only one I realised. A group of firefighters had their hands in the air with their mobile phones on video mode. It put a smile on my face to see that. Sure wish I'd thought of taking a photo of them!

You must be wondering how I found a 'quiet spot' in such crowded place. Easy, just stick to the men in orange uniform by the roadside. I'm not sure about other places but being a regular countdown attendee at Publika Shopping Mall, I'm experienced enough to know where to stand for a great view of the fireworks and that debris can get into your eye if you're not careful. Best to have your glasses on.

A short video on the fireworks I oohed and aahed over:

Hubs and I actually started our adventure at 9PM, heading to the food court first for a meal. We explored the outdoor mall area only after that, maneuvering through crowds patiently and finally settling on a spot near the stage where live music was playing. A number of the songs were familiar and catchy, suitable for the crowd to join in.

Publika - Counting Down To The New Year

To tell you the truth, whilst I enjoyed the singing, I was really hoping to catch 'Hands Percussion'. I'm pleased they left it as the last performance of the night just before the countdown. They had the crowd at first drum beat. The energy was fantastic!

Amazing, huh?

Hands Percussion

I'm glad I still enjoy late night New Year Countdown celebrations. What can I say? Young at heart and still happening. Lol. Watching live performances by various artistes was a great way to end to my 2017. The fireworks were a magical start to 2018. Happy New Year ..cheers to another wonderful one!

4 Environmental Disaster? Us?

The flower coughs, choked with dust
The tractor ploughs, go on it must
Down with the trees, rid the inhabitants
We aim to seize all Mother Nature's merchants
 
Another construction for Man's enhancement
Another contraption to ease Man's burden
Another mansion to fill worldly treasure
Another destruction for personal pleasure
 
Greenery toil to keep Earth a peaceful place
Little beings die from lack of breathing space
We broke the circle of life, the unity
Our future will be punished to live with artificial reality..
 © Sharon Das

Note: This was written many years ago for a poetry site.

When we think of environmental disasters, many of us don't see that we are part of the cause. It is easier to point the finger at huge manufacturing corporations in an attempt to cover the fact that we don't seriously care. We loathe to admit that we were the ones who put the dollar down to cut a tree for a piece of paper, to tear the Earth for oil and gas, to produce plastic so we can have new gadgets to play with..

0 Through the gloom..

 

If we can find the beauty in everything
Then through the gloom we will see that silver lining
Above despair we  will rise
It will lead us out into sunshine and blue skies
And we will fall in love with life again

Overcoming our heart's pain…

~ Sharon Das, 28 Feb 2013

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa ~ Where the "Eye on Malaysia" was.

0 We Elected, They Neglected

Nothing but a storm in the teacup
"Election’s coming", they say
Months pass..what's up?!
What childish game to play

Where are the brave men running our country?
They’ve melted to corrupt ways
All fattened by our tax money!
Satan’s winning a lot these days..

Dirty tactics,
What do these achieve?
Plumped up positive statistics?
For what earns nothing but disbelief!

Are you, our elected, blind?
With selfish intentions to stay in power
Spending days arguing that "everything’s fine"
You could have provided relief for the poor
But no, only your pockets matter..

~ Sharon Das @ 15January 2013

2 Defining Success

Is it about that highly paid job
Locked in a tiny cubicle with my freedom robbed?
Dressed in short unbreathable pencil skirts
Yet crying foul of the office flirts
Pouring through mounds of paperwork
But insisting, “I’m an executive, not a clerk!”
Composing grammatically correct emails, Cc and Bcc
Proof I’m very important and busy
Walking that corporate gait
Quick steps, back straight
Going for that important meeting
To gain brownie points for public speaking

What an achievement!
What achievement?!
I impress general society
THAT makes me a success ............……how empty.

~ Sharon D. @ 11 November 2012

2 Repressive!

A shackled press
An economy in distress 
Yet they say there’s no mess

They quote, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds”
Even when our pocket bleeds
 They insist they’ve met our needs

This land is free
Wait… not free, for a fee
They want our “unquestioning” loyalty

History books have been changed
Insecure works of the deranged
 Our children, shortchanged!

We ban artists
But keep sexist Czarists
In our Parliament they exist..

Voiceless against violence
Helpless against rising vice and public nuisance
Cowered into acceptance by Little Napoleons

Have we lost all sense
In this quicksand of nonsense
We’re stuck deep but still we keep up the "fine" pretense…

~ Sharon D. @ 02 June 2012

2 She's somewhere I cannot go

Here lies an angel

1 March 2012 - Aunt Em left us quietly, in the wee hours of the morning unbeknownst to her beloved husband sleeping beside her.

I left my Uncle a message hours before as I did every week since she left for home. They were words of encouragement. I knew things were hard on him. He never stopped trying, he never stopped believing. It was our mantra. Aunt Em was never alone in her fight against cancer.

Mom woke me with a phone call at 7.00am to relay the news. I was calm. I knew before she said it. Mayhaps I was in a state of disbelief.

A couple of hours later, my heart rallied between quiet acceptance and anger over the unfairness of it all. I held back tears. At least, I thought I did. My cheeks were wet. What happened...

Aunt Em was always there for me. We used to spend hours talking over the phone. Nothing held us back from sharing our innermost thoughts. There were laughter and tears. We motivated each other all the time. She always took the time to encourage me on with chants of "Jia you! Jia you!" .

It's hard to believe I won't be seeing her anymore. My mind scrambles to remember what we did last together, what we said last to each other, when we last held hands.These memories are all I have of her now.


She’s somewhere I cannot go 
Don’t wipe these tears
They’re not of sorrow
God has lifted her fears
And gifted her a tomorrow

A tomorrow in heaven
Free from pain and Earthly pursuits
Amongst angels, not men
Amidst paradise and bountiful fruits

Don’t say she’s gone forever
Because she’s right here
In our hearts, where we treasure her
In memories we hold dear ..she is here!

~ Sharon D. @ 10 March 2012

3 They have a HOME?

Citizens of  the less
What do  they possess
Certainly not a prestigious address!

Some become squatters
Others are low-cost apartment dwellers
Those on the streets? They’re homeless beggars

We’ll give you a 100% loan
We, the Government, we listen to your moan
The poor?…. They groan

Expensive apartments are constructed
Million dollar bungalows are mooted
What’s there for the lower income bracket?

“Material costs are high!”
Developers cry
Their crocodile tears never dry

Home is where the heart is
But how can it be this?
Broken lifts, cramped conditions and graffitis..

~ Sharon D. @ 24 December 2011

3 Note to self...

Fight, for what is right

Speak, for the weak
Care, for those in despair
Stand, and say "I can"

Teach, and be enriched

Live, what I believe

Laugh, when the going's tough

Love, my neighbours and God above..

Sharon D. @ 18 September 2011

0 Politicians and their rainbow promises

Oh, how easily they promise ..
“Affordable homes for all of you, Miss!”
“Parks will remain, we won’t cut the trees!”
“Corruption? No, no! We have laws for these!”
“By merit? Of course, anything you please..”

Another day passes, a year gone by
Funny how costs remain high
Funny how less trees reach out for the sky
Funny how the cream of our crop continue to cry
Mayhaps they lie? ..

Mr. Politician, you speak half truth!
Your cunning words do not soothe
Is there nothing you will not loot?
In the coming election, you, I will boot!
In with another, hopefully, of good repute…

Sharon D. @ 29 July 2011

0 You Are No Patriot

The silence on bribery
The dereliction of chivalry
Approval of mediocrity
Acceptance of National thievery

The undeserving, heralded
Unsung heroes, discarded
The needy, unaided
Calls for justice, unheeded

You, who abide in this unkind
You’re not God fearing, but blind!
Kept in check and in line
By reasonings of a fearful mind

A patriot, not you, but a slave to tyranny
Cry peace? Cry wolf, you see!
No one finds peace in governmental debauchery
Only shackled lives, only misery!

~ Sharon D. @ 13 July 2011

2 Forget, I cannot!

Let go, let go, let go
Easier said, that is so
Make light not another’s grief
You steal joy, you uncaring thief!

Years of sorrow
The feeling cannot just GO..!
It sits in the subconscious
Waiting to strike, it is merciless..

One is never really over it
'Those' memories are easily lit
A familiarity, a significance once shared,
It brings back moments once had

If the mind be a futuristic tech phenomenon
‘Esc’ pain, ‘Save’ love, ‘Delete’ burden
The heart would be lighter
Life, simpler.

~ Sharon D. @ 8 Jun 2011

0 Not so peachy after all..

Death of a World

What of future earth
A horizon riddled with concrete
Land drenched in solid waste

What of future birth
A playground of cemented street
Fresh air they’ll never taste

What of us
Man-made catastrophes
Extremist masters

What of the living ‘others’
Extinction of the species
Hungry and homeless

~ Sharon D. @ 22 Apr 2011

2 An inspiration from a poem

I am just so amazed by PJEFC’s efforts – The Christmas play was mesmerizing to say the least. It started with an ensemble of ‘stargazers’ who read a poem about the birth of all creations. The light shone on each stargazer as he/she spoke in poetic motion.

In between were beautiful Christmas carols sung by magical voices – the choir was harmonious and they were so in tune with one another. I was drugged by their serenity. The play ended with a scene on the birth of Christ.

Our friend, Cynthia was part of the play as a ‘stargazer’. Hence, we thought we’d come lend our support. She was very modest about their efforts – but that effort touched a lot of hearts.

It seems that the 'stargazer' scene was inspired from John Masefield's poem 'Lollingdon Downs V':

I could not sleep for thinking of the sky,

The unending sky, with all its million suns

Which turn their planets everlastingly

In nothing, where the fire-haired comet runs.

If I could sail that nothing, I should cross

Silence and emptiness with dark stars passing,

Then, in the darkness, see a point of gloss

Burn to a glow, and glare, and keep amassing,

And rage into a sun with wandering planets

And drop behind, and then, as I proceed,

See his last light upon his last moon's granites

Die to a dark that would be night indeed.

Night where my soul might sail a million years

In nothing, not even Death, not even tears.

7 Chicken Story

It was a chicken affair in our office. The hens were always clucking and making a big hoo haa over things and all the chicks would be running around crying *unfair* helplessly. They always finished their tasks ambitiously for fear of getting the chop early.

All of them lived in a cage and didn’t believe that life existed beyond the coop. Anything beyond the coop was unsafe or dangerous and could not be any better than the slaughterhouse.

One by one they fell ill from sleepless nights. The daily crowing from the cock at ungodly hours were beginning to tire them out. They stopped looking lively and showed symptoms of a disease. The disease soon spread and began to look as though it was incurable.

The chicks were forced to defend themselves from the constant hoo haa. They found a solution ………. worms. Every worm fed to the hen would keep the hen and cock quiet.

The chicks started to have a peaceful life but it soon got out of hand. The constant worm feedings turned into a frenzy with chicks fighting for more worms. They were soon killing each other and forgot that all of them were there for the same purpose.

One chick, however, started thinking about the possibilities of life beyond the coop.

She thought, “After all, we’re going to end up in the slaughterhouse anyway, what else could be worse? There could be a nicer looking slaughter house than this one with better food too.”

So this chick planned the great escape. The chick asked around for the best slaughterhouses in the country. Then, it hit the chick to try a pet shop instead. The other chicks were skeptical preferring to believe that a pet shop would not give the chick the time of day.

The chick did not let this deter her. The chick took the first step out and was noticed immediately by the pet shop owner. The pet shop owner was impressed with the chick’s courage and enthusiasm for life. So he took the chick in.

Soon the chick was in the care of a loving owner to the envy of the other chicks. They wanted to be a part of the pet shop too. They started believing that there was more to life than being in a coop. The chick was very happy that she had opened possibilities from her actions.

The end.
The Harrowing Office Experience
Day in, day out
Paperwork and rout
No smiling team mates
No friendly dates

Everything’s a deadline
Everything’s mine
A cold hearted machine
They build us mean

There’s no time for caring
Work’s always outstanding
There’s no time for rest
To be considered the best

The stress was unimaginable
The backbiting intolerable
I finally broke down
Without a sound

I thought I’d never believe
In the midst of my grief
That life’s just out there
Waiting for me …. to take my share.

5 Poisoned

Food poisoning. That was all I had? Well, serves me right for not seeing the Doctor earlier.

Doctors and I aren't exactly the best of friends.

I'd been down with a tummy ache for about three days with fever I never knew I had. I did take some medication which I thought would cure me.....for gastritis. It didn't work and at the rate my tummy was bloating up, I swear I thought it was going to burst.

Hence, I decided to try out some chinese medication which would supposedly take out all the air in my tummy. That didn't work either. By then, I was rolling on the floor and getting dramatic. I thought I was going to die from some disease. Thoughts of "I'm too young to die!" began to take control. I was almost in puppy tears when I asked Daevid if he could take me to the Doctor.

And he said "I can't. I wanted to take you earlier but you didn't want to go. I now have an appointment. Can you wait?" I know...he's not the most romantic soul. That brought me down to earth.

I got up and drove myself down to a Clinic in Bangsar. A check here and there - Voila ! I had food poisoning and high fever. I was told to stay home for two days. :P :)
A step in the right direction
That's all I needed to take
But try I did to cure my condition
To avoid the Doc at any stake

My tummy bloated ..
I rolled on the floor
I finally relented
I could take no more !!

The Doc questioned me
"What took you so long??"
I replied sheepishly
I thought I was strong... ..Me and my nonsense..

6 A Prayer For A Friend

I love my friends for who they are. Some are a pain in the you-know-where but it just makes them perfect and I wouldn't change any of them for the world.

They make my life so exciting that it's hard to imagine what I'd do without them.

Here's a prayer for all my friends. I wrote this when I was feeling very lonely. It was my first few months working in a new organisation and it was very challenging indeed.
Oh and yes, I'm still working in the same organisation.

Dear God,

Please bless my friends wherever they are
Show them they’re loved no matter how far

Even if they don’t reply my mails
Bless their souls, soothe their ails

Let them know I love them just the same
Mr Grumpy, Ms Obnoxious, whatever the name

Whatever their flaws is perfection to me
Whatever our sins, forgive us I ask thee

Whenever they’re hurt and feeling down
Give them a smile to forget the frown

God, my friends are important to me
They form a part of my family

Do give them a piece of my happiness
The one you gave me in my hour of loneliness

Amen

© Sharon D, 25th June 2003