Mattar Road 1962

Old ways have a way to replay Scenes from forgotten melodies; Those stray feelings that recall stay Upon the whim of plain fancy. See how my years have flown away, Clinging to my journey story; I barely recall yesterday, How strange these fading memories? Dangling strands of cacophony, Old Mattar Road that paved my stay; Stray echoes now pestering me, Those faded faces gone away. By that old path an empty plot, Where once hovered our rented slabs; A sudden melancholic thought, Flashed fading moments in mind map. That old neighbourhood now obscured, I think upon old companions; Missing moments that once postured, Nothing remains of old fractions. How distant is this odd feeling, Coming back to nothing to add; That draining, uneasy thinking, A glimpsing of the past now sad. So much has lapsed in the distance, A fifty-year march from just where; I jog my thoughts to that instance, Rest in old pains that gather there. My feeble knees tell on me here, The familiar laughter still stays; The fun and games and atmosphere, Where frolic and cheer made our day. There was a route and roundabout, Where a big grass field hosted play; The crafty seasons thrilled our shouts, After school hours to arouse stray. The vacant verge of grass now tells, Of nothing more than greenery; Nothing directs that old-time spell, Nothing remains of our stories. I write these lines of verse to fling, Moments that inform memory; That come to mind and simply bring A brief rapture to my story. Leon Enriquez 14 November 2014 Singapore