Revised poems

Before I delete the poems from my pen drive for spaces this semester, I would like to share the revised poems with you here on my blog. Hopefully one of these will be published in the Creative Writing anthology.

Church Camp (revised)

I saw

from a corner of the room

a dark black creature,

the size of a human palm

scurrying around.

At first

I thought I was imagining things

or perhaps all I saw

was a giant cockroach.

5 minutes passed by

and the creature sneaked towards my chair.

A dust-colored rodent

with dark eyes,

the size of peas,

and long white whiskers,

 camouflaged on the bright carpet floor.

The pest

hurried under the rows of chairs

and towards the podium

where the pastor was giving a testimony.

There was a silence

like as if the world seemed to freeze.

Shrill screams vibrated my eardrums

as everyone dashed into their dormitories

for safety.

The pastor hurriedly snatched an empty box

from one a side of the room

and trapped the little devil inside.

That rat

ruined the night.

I’m sorry to say this

But the rat

is an animal that I find

worthless and disgusting,

deserved to be killed.

Rapunzel (revised)

You live in a tower

far away hidden in the forest.

I wonder

how on earth do you get

70-foot-long

glossy golden hair.

I wonder

have you ever tripped over your locks?

How do you wash your hair?

Does it take hours to soak every strand of it?

And most of all,

How long does it take to brush its entire length?

You are a mistress of numerous talents,

I must admit.

Your paintings on the tower walls take my breath away.

Is there any more room for your future displays?

Your angelic voice takes my breath away.

Will you be performing in public?

Your freshly-baked pies force saliva to drool from my mouth.

Have you thought of owning a diner?

Your ability to climb and swing with your hair causes me to stare in awe.

Is there any chance for me to go on an adventure with you?

You’re locked up

for 18 years.

Aren’t you feeling restless?

Haven’t you inhaled fresh oxygen released by trees?

Do you know that there is a lot more things to discover out there?

How do you get so slender

while being grounded the whole time?

Haven’t you raced on green pastures for a while?

Rapunzel,

why are you being so stubborn?

All these years,

your mother is filling your brain

with lies!

Myths and fables that only little children believe.

I dare you to escape from the tower

because I can see through those

desperate, curious green eyes of yours.

And soon,

a real adventure is about to approach,

through the only window.

Secondary School Days (revised)

My fingers ran on the pages

of one of my high school yearbooks.

A flashback of the school appeared in my head

that brings nostalgia.

The classrooms and laboratories

where I was drawn to a wide galaxy of learning,

grasping the values of discipline and responsibility

and earning the power of hard work.

The field and courts

where I gained skills in sports

and cheered for my respective team in matches.

The hall

where I was indulged in the same announcements

every single Mondays,

bored and restless

till my head yelled, “Get me out of here!”

The stern principal

who carried a bamboo cane everywhere he went,

barking at mischievous boys who liked to break the rules.

The wonderful teachers

who burdened to help me to reach the goal

as well as treated me as a second child.

The unforgettable times I had with my dear friends,

each and every moment of fun and laughter

and the emboldening smiles

which gave me strength every day.

As I take one last glance

at my senior year class photograph

and the autographs of my friends

at the back of the yearbook,

the bittersweet times sweep me away

like a strong gust of wind.

Those days will remain

until the end.

 Malaysian Sunset (revised)

The golden sun sank down between the islands.

Hues of ruby, topaz, and amber

illuminated dimly in the sky.

Its mirror shone on the surface of the ocean.

Sapphire waves tumbled against each other

before diminished by the seashore.

Shortly the circle vanished,        

saying goodbye to the world.

I gazed at the scenery in wonder.

Warm wind blew gently against my face,

as I drew in fresh air.

This postcard view lays in my mind.

I wish I can return home

And watch it once again.

For You, Best Friend (revised)

Dear best friend,

I know it has been a while

since I write a postcard

or a birthday card

to you.

I would like to thank you

for the videos you’ve sent me,

telling me that you’re doing okay.

And now

here is what I have to say.

I’m doing fine,

stuck in the tremendous college pressure,

but I’m surviving.

Every day,

I think about you.

The memories

of you and me

are still in my mind.

Do you remember

the sleepovers we had

once or twice every year back then?

Can you still recall

the places we used to go

to hang out and chill?

Do you remember

the last words

you whispered to my ears

before I left my hometown?

That day,

when I watched you

left me behind,

I couldn’t hold back my tears

much longer.

Yet

I promised you

that I would stay strong

and I would never forget about you.

I miss your sarcasm and your jokes

that makes me laugh so hard.

I miss your emboldening smile

that encourages me to try my best.

I miss the embraces you give me

that cheers me up.

I miss you,

dear friend.

I wish you were here with me

right now.