Try not to find a desert in a forest,
Instead, look for an oasis in a desert!
Worry not about perils in adventures,
They are indeed your passion quenchers!
Look not for faults in men around you,
Many of them, you notice in you too!
Work not with a fear of failure in mind,
It’s not good for the progress of mankind!
Give children the love they require,
Duly respecting their every desire!
Expect not rewards from the society,
It is the harbinger of your anxiety!
Presume not that you know all,
It is the beginning of your downfall!
Take insults hurled at you as bouquets,
Give people a chance to mend their ways!
Deviate not from the path of piety,
Forget not to have faith in your deity!
New Poem Old Poet
I stand again facing the eternal west.
I am an old dude now and,
I miss the western sunsets on Hoover Street.
Those bright orange never-ending endings,
Presenting themselves again like hovering waiters,
Carrying trays of bottled heart-quenchers.
Life is the hat check girl in little orange cap.
When the lights are low,
She steps away privately to dance.
All things can tempt me*, quenching my writing fire
enticing poem inspiration to retire…
When there’s the irresistible mango shake
with my inviting fave blueberry cheese cake---
How about arresting reality shows
and telenovelas’ twists of faith-check blows---
Then soothing music of lullaby delight
closes my eye lids toward lethargic plight---
Cognizant of these baits, whether vain or gain
I pray* God would make my muse remain and reign.
*Yeats, William Butler - "All Things Can Tempt Me"
** Luke 22:40 …Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
February 28, 2020
15th place, "All Things Can Tempt Me" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Beth Evans; judged on 3/18/2020.
Orchard Road buzz
Many feet zigzag;
Shopping sprees call
Zoo Night Safari park
Nocturnal wildlife stalk;
Peek beyond the dark
Bubble tea shoppe
Mind-boggling flavours;
Thirst-quenchers ply
Local zoo visit
Well-fed wildlife glowing;
National education works
Journeys end
New beginnings spur;
Scratch-and-Win ticket
So many tribes
Skin colour harmony;
That's Singapore
Paper puzzles
To decipher;
Know-how defaults
School day crowd
Not so long ago;
Blend of many colours
Momentary fragment
Experiential movement;
Seek to pry stillness
Skybridge meditation
Active brisk walking;
Mantra in motion
Leon Enriquez
01 August 2014
Singapore
Desert flowers reach
Sun burned thirst quenchers stand tall
Castles in the air
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