UK Trip is almost over!

My UK trip is almost over. I miss home as much as I know I'll miss traveling. I'll update more about my month long travel when I get back. Now, I just want to touch on two people whom I've met today. 

One of them is a South African. He came over to sit next to me on the bus because Pam was dead asleep on the other seat. He was really friendly and seemed genuine so I nodded to sign that I don't mind him taking the seat next to me (the bus was rather crowded). He initiated to chat and I obliged. He was very open to sharing and told me about his plans for the future. He told me he was going to school while working part-time. He told me about his family who were scattered everywhere. Some of what he said didn't really made sense but I attribute it to his poor English and my lack of ability to clearly understand his accent. He even told me about the harsh reality back in Uganda. One thing hit me hard though. He said his father had passed about 2 years ago. His father was a doctor. "Number one in the country," he said. But people were afraid of men with knowledge and so while his father was in his car, (at this point, he used his hand to mimick a gun and then fired twice towards my chest) "BANG BANG!" I sank into my seat in phantom fear and sadness as I said, "I'm sorry to hear". 

The next person is an old Irish man. He was clearly drunk out of his mind. But he seemed harmless. We bumped into him while we were on our way. Then, he just said some stuff that made Pam laugh. I was obviously horrible at making sense of the Irish accent so I was just smiling and nodding my way through that. What I did understand was that he told us he just wanted to see us smile. That was heartwarming. And just when you didn't think he could be sweeter, he told us that as young people, we don't have to pay taxes. He told us to enjoy life because everything is tax free. "No taxes for the sunshine, no taxes for the air and no taxes for the rain." He also admitted that he had been drinking and continued to share that his wife had passed. We offered our condolences. He also told us his daughter had just passed and he was going to bury her tomorrow. That hit me right in the gut. 

I have to admit that there are certain aspects of the encounters that made me question if the stories were actually true. But I'd rather give them the benefit of the doubt. I believe there is something to take away from. I see incredible courage in both these men and I'm glad I got to come across them on my journey. 

Limerick Holiday

Limerick Holiday
Agnes and Pam on holiday
Through the streets we shout with gay,
"Goodbye Dublin;
You've been supreme,
But Limerick city, we're on our way!"

Death Be With You

So, this morning, my dad woke us up, accidentally, and told us that my waigong (maternal grandfather) just passed. I was in such a shock, I don't think it has quite sunk in yet. I just saw him yesterday and he was breathing and talking and eating. He was frail, but he was, in a sense, normal. My dad said he died of old age, which was the best way to go because it was peaceful. I guess I can take comfort in that.

I am supposed to fly today for a choir competition, which means I would miss the coming days of the wake. I did tell my parents I could deviate from the group and fly 2 days later but my dad does not feel safe with me travelling on my own. I guess I'm leaving tonight.

I guess I can also find comfort that I managed to see him for the last time when he was still alive. I really need to thank my mum for pushing me to visit him yesterday. I think I also have to thank God for planning things this way. I get to see him one last time when he still breathe and one more time when he has passed before my flight.

I still recall that as I looked at him ytd, I was remembering how he used to be so much fitter. Both my grandpas could never stay too still. They were always up and about; all over the country. Now, he was bedridden and wayyyyy thinner. I used to hug him and gave air kisses when we were younger. Yesterday, I was too afraid I might hurt him.

Dear Waigong, I wish you all the best in the afterlife. I love you.

Death Be With You
You with the lovely eyes,
why don't you open them and see?
Open them and watch the world.
Look at my face. You created me
and then molded my person.
Hold my hand, Papa!
Look at me. Look at your son
that longs your smile.

Why are you colder than ever?
Do you need a blanket? I'll grab one for you.
Speak to me. Where are the words
of the lips that taught me two plus two?
Breathe in the air, Papa,
It's easy, like this.
Please breathe, Papa.
Here, have true love's kiss.

Tell me you're not gone, dear father.
Tell me you've just gone to bed.
Tell me you'll sit up at anytime.
Tell me, Papa. Tell me you're not only dead.
Sing me tunes of robins and larks,
Paint me pictures of sky and soil,
Teach me lessons of strength and life.
Fill me with kisses of sadness and joy.

I think I understand how this works;
what happens when one dies.
The Son calls out and you must go
but why won't you come when this son cries?
I look around and I do see,
pieces of you surrounding me.
You're not only dead, my kind daddy;
you burn in the hearts of everybody.

Cluck Cluck Cluck!

30 day writing challenge

Topic: Cluck (day 30)

It's the final day of the 30 day writing challenge! I can't believe I lasted all the way. There has been many days that I've considered taking a break because the poetry was sucking the life out of me, being all emotional and all. But I'm glad I persevered (even though, as you can see, the last few poems gradually got shorter and had less depth. Brain getting fried..)

Today's theme is cluck and since it was such an insane topic, I decided early on to write about something I was really interested in - genetic modification. However, it happened to only appear on the last day, which coincidentally is my last day in Singapore before I embark on my month-long holiday in Europe again! So, for the entire day, all I could think of was what I was going to do in the EU. Hence, this entry is about me, being born in the year of the rooster, getting excited to travel!

Cluck Cluck Cluck!

Born fourteen December nine-three,

the year of the rooster for me.

Excited, I am,

To fly with friends.

Can’t wait for great sights to see!

The Soldier

30 day writing challenge
Topic: Acne (day 29)
Read up and watched some videos of soldiers coming home and reuniting with their family. It touches my heart.

The Soldier

He is amazing. His eyes gleam as he breathes my breaths.

The work he does can be seen on his face.

Each pearly breakout stems from the hardships

he faces for us, for my family. Each scar,

a memento of a battle with himself; stuck between

presence and protection of the ones he loves.

The dirt and grime of the forests he crawls and eats

and sleeps does not compare to the fondness of

her heart back home. Neither injuries nor hurt can compare

with the lost cheers of the boy’s first goal or the absence

of the small one’s first words.

The badges and awards tells of the tough decisions

made in the field but the white gold he proudly bears on

his face reads the hardest one yet.

He is Man. Strong. Resilient. Admired. Protector.

Almost impenetrable but the dots on that smile of re-unity,

they are the gateway to his soul.

Shoe Defense

30 day writing challenge
Topic: Shoes (day 28)
Everyone needs a protector regardless how strong they may appear to be. Everyone has their vulnerable side.

Shoe Defense

The total of bones from the head to the toes

is two hundred and six at twenty.

The place with the most number of those

is the feet, 26 on each.

They say bones give you structure, the hardest part of you,

they withstand the success ladder climb.

They hold you up when you’re happy or blue,

but even the strongest need protection sometimes.

Changes Everyday

30 day writing challenge
Topic: Today (day 27)

Changes Everyday
One foot out and it's a new world.
The green of greens differ from recollections.
The air sandy, the ground humid, birds
sing hymns of rebirth.
The sun on your face pierces through you
again but never the same way.
The people hustle through the paths, the squirrels
nuts, lazy cat purrs.
Routines, but not constants today.

Weaknesses

30 day writing challenge

Topic: Weakness (day 26)

I guess I don't really have the right to be mad at you. So I should be sorry I lashed out. You were only trying to help in a way you know how. I guess I just was not open to tough love. I needed someone to tell me I was going to be okay. And that feeling like this was normal. Not many people I know go through what I am doing to myself mentally. I know at least you have and I guess I was trying to clasp on to some sort of comfort in that. But you did not gift what I hoped to receive and I cannot fault you for my own expectations despite my plummeting emotions. You went for practicality and reason. But I already have that and needed assurance. Reasoning what I already know makes me feel more useless for not doing something about it. The way you treated me was how I treat myself and, now that I think about it, how you probably treat yourself. It's a shame that I cannot accept my own cruelty. 

Signing off, Useless

Weaknesses

So much power yet

if you think it hard enough

so little control. 

The Smell of Her Locks

30 day writing challenge
Topic: Hair (day 25)

The Smell of Her Locks

I brush her gold luscious locks and dry them

roughly with the towel. As my fingers run

through her silk, I get whiffs of the shampoo

she uses. Rose has always been my

favorite flower.

I carefully pull her fringe back behind those

dainty ears and twirl the ends of it between

my pulsing thumb and long index before setting

them down nicely at the side of her face.

Her lips still wet from her shower.

“Make sure my hair is neat for my guest.” Don’t

worry Missy, my hands know how to make you

glow. I braid her mane into two rows, intertwining

her threads tightly. A little pain is interesting. She

may command me, but I hold the power.

In an hour’s time, she will stand naked in front

of the banker’s son and he shall see the glorious

curls I am so familiar with. From the other room,

I will tear into those blond screams with

savage hunger. Just one more hour.

Pink Is The New Black

30 day writing challenge
Topic: Pink (day 24)
Really frustrated with myself. I need a breakthrough.

Pink Is The New Black
Pink is the saltiness in my eye.
Pink is the shivers down my spine.
Pink is the tension in my shoulder.
Pink is the fingers going colder.
Pink is the anger in my fists.
Pink is the lines on my wrists.
Pink is the blood on my hand.
Pink is the betrayal of men.
Pink is the hate in my heart.
Pink is my soul torn apart.
Pink is the vacant broken shells.
Pink's for the fallen in hell.