INSIGHT

        I dreamt I was flying o'er a heavenly zone,
        No wings had I, no body, but below I saw
        Spectacular marble domes to the horizon;
        I thought then that it was the moment I would know
        God's purpose in creating and giving us life.
        However, I awoke - back to where woe is rife,
        To, perhaps, tell my insight to this world of strife...

SOLITUDE

     Sitting bemused in my old stalled car near the beach,
     Out where I could  hear the surf and the sea gulls screech...
     Looking up, I could see some swallows flying high,
     Intricately tracing their farewell in the sky;
     Thus I was left alone on the deserted strand,
     Utterly without a comrade to lend a hand...
     Dare I ask for "road assistance" for my old heart?
   " Excuse me, Lord, but I need another jump-start!"

Ah, Great Mystery of Life

          (Victor Herbert's "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" is slightly modified, but the melody of the song is retained.)

      Ah, Great Mystery of Life at last I've found You,
      Ah, at last I know the secret of it all;
      All the longings, seekings, striving. waiting, yearning,
     The burning hopes, the joys and idle tears that fall.
     
      For 'tis Love and Peace, so long I have been seeking;
      Now I know Who gives His Love for all to share.
      Weep no more for He's the end and all of living;
       Yes, only God can give us Peace fore'er.

      So, dear brothers, sisters, if you are still seeking,
      Find the Lord in everyone and everywhere;
      Know the secret-- He's the end and all of living,
      For only God can give us Life fore'er!
      .
     

 

A Wish, A Dream, A Choice

     I used to climb up the tallest tamarind tree
     When I was a school boy in elementary;
     I would clamber to its highest branch just to see
     Shimmering in the distance the South China Sea.
     How could I forget those big ships sailing away!
     I made a wish I could sail my own ship someday...
     Where have those wild dreams and high hopes of youth all gone?
     I still dream dreams, but now a small boat should be fun.
     Life at the top, I suspect, is a huge burden;
     Live with bad thorn pricks if you have a rose garden.
     What profits then an old man still collecting toys?
     I've retired from the chase, the next race is for boys.
     Now, I just write...( At my age, it's the only choice.)

STUPEFACTION

     Scholastics maintain skepticism is absurd,
     That mere agnosticism may be the right word,
     Unless what one really means is atheism...
     Pure layman's ignorance could be the right 'ism'.
     Existentialists, I suspect, don't give a hoot,
     For religion to them is a no-brainer - moot;
     And so I studied a bit of Eastern teachings...
     Confucius says naught about God in his preachings.
     There are other faiths or pathways one could follow,
     I must delve into all to be able to know...
     On the other hand, soon there is "Graduation"...
     Now, I am stupefied to total inaction.
     
  

To President Obama

     Be the President you promised to be;
     A sea change we all expected to see.
     Rely on your own global perspective,
     And avoid straying from God's objective:-
     Construct a world of peace and brotherhood,
     Knowing all mankind is Mother Earth's brood.

     Oust from power those who promote discord;
     Beware of leaders who rule by the sword.
     Arab, Jew, Kenyan, or American-
     Makes no diff'rence to God; we're all human.
     ACHIEVE WORLD PEACE; with your firm lead --WE CAN!

STULTIFICATION (A comment on the world economy)

       Some government leaders just can't foresee
       That Greed insatiable brings Misery.
       Unmindful of their starving cit'zenry,
       Like kings of old, they bask in luxury;
       They think they own their nation's treasury,
       In pelf, they seek lasting security...
       Forgotten, their long-suff'ring populi
       In desperation rise 'gainst tyranny;
       Chaos soon engulfs their entire country,
       And blood and tears flow like a tsunami,
       Thus, stultifying their economy,
       Infecting even global industry....
       Only our nation's self-sufficiency-(?)
       Negates that dire eventuality.