Captive Animals

To be free, we can see
For man, animals a birthright just as for me
The roaming tiger, elephants foraging
The seagull gliding, deer running.


Sadly these only in the wilderness
For urban folk without access
So we set up zoos
For us, something to do.


In captivity, pacing to and fro
Eyes blank, spirits low
People come to stand and stare
At them in their new lair.


Rare animals to see
Even if no longer free
Wonder and curiosity
To experience such rarity.


Two sides to a coin
Where does one draw the line?
Many reasons for captivity
Curiosity and. to preserve species in rarity.

Animal rights advocates think otherwise
Zoos for any purpose are unwise
No wild animal should be kept captive
With persuasion and slogans active.

Restless in captivity, listless and with rage
In the confines of a cage
Rage, listlessness, fear also in humans
In similar conditions amply proven.

Let animals be wild and free
As they would like to be
With visual technology we can see
Animals as they should be.

People in distant parts
Now no longer apart
On to our screen
Everything can be seen.

The Golden Fruit

In a blissful state, walking in a Malaysian palm oil estate
Fronded leaves a leafy tunnel make
Moss, ferns in the morning rays, lush deep green
If this one has seen, so much all this mean.


Once with rubber, this way the land made to cover
Rubber trees tower, arousing wonder
But things change, in ways strange
Turning a new page, with a new image.


A long story, no cause to be sorry
Oil palm replacing rubber, rising to glory
Batang Berjuntai, Tennamaram Estate
Oil palm changed rubbers state.


Frenchman, Henri Fanconnier, an oil palm pioneer
With vision and mission, the palm made to steer
The world`s second largest producer, with a high turnover
2017, marking its 100th year.

From cooking oil to ingredients
In almost any foodstuff for nourishment
Seen in supermarkets the world over
Oil palm ingredients improving flavours.

Feeds billions of people world wide
A very popular vegetable oil
Natures` gift to Malaysia all told
Malaysia`s gift to the world.

Crop quality improved
With research quality proved
A climate compatible, much was possible
With water and sunlight, growing crops affordable.

Sabah, Sarawak went under oil palm
Planters welcomed the palm, with a warm welcome
With this boom, anxiety also loom
The Anti Palm Oil campaign threatening doom.

Embarked on scientific study
With facts and figures ready
To counter adverse publicity
With full accountability.

Research in genetics, palm and oil quality
With an eye on affordability
Mechanization helped to reduce
Plantation costs for higher produce.


Every part of the oil palm has a use
This way, costs could reduce
Biofuel from palm oil produced
As hydrocarbon substitute introduced.


In a competitive environment
Creditable certification important
First country to produce a certification
With global experts made a declaration.


From 50% poverty reduced
To 5% this venture produced
An agricultural revolution
Through firm guided resolution.


Pioneers of the industry
Tell a capturing story
Tan Sri Dr Augustine Ong, Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik
Tan Sri Borge Bek-Nielson and many others working tirelessly

MPP
3.5.2017

Pain Without Pain

How could this be possible, sounds impossible?

Wishful thinking, even laughable

The strangest things happen

For some a strong weapon.

In illness body, muscle, joint pains

Pains and aches giving us a strain

There is a way, from pains to stay

A helpful way like a curing ray.

Look just at this moment

To save further torment

Don`t make pain your story

A constant cause for worry.

Just this moment be alert

To things around, attention divert

Your present situation includes pain

Just observe and feel, don`t think and strain.

In the now, pain reduced in intensity

Its sharpness reduced in sensivity

Remove thinking keep only feeling

Sense your feeling, leads to healing.

 

In this deep state of oneness

A strong sense of bliss

Pain becomes nothing, part of everything

A new reality, your soul reclaiming.

With this hidden secret

Will have no regrets

Try it for yourself, see what happens

Use this as your prized weapon.

Someone I Admire

Always calm and cool, mostly as a rule

When everything falls apart, still keeping cool

Battering of all kinds, worry and sorrow together

All this still able to weather.

What is the secret hidden, deep in woven?

With a nature so given, in life well proven

A rare quality, an admirable ability

Not given to probability.

Two realities together, a worldly reality

Also an inner deep reality

Both together, any storm can weather

Never ever seen to falter, a true sign of a Master.

Immersed in both, allowing for growth

Leaning more to the inner, proving its worth

With earthly gains, not seeking fame

May earn a name, but will remain the same

To others a beacon, will not be trampled

Be like this person, a fine example

An agent of change, things she can arrange

In calmness immersed, life smoothly managed.

A living Master, never falters

Life smooth and calm, nothing to alter

With a helping hand, an admirable stand

Enriching this land.

A person I so much admire

With a mission to aspire

This could be anyone

You could be this one.

MPP

6.5.2017

Going Home

Forty years a long time, fading memory a sure sign

Walking on a thin line, a recalling act so fine

On Prize Giving Day this year, accolades to hear

To ably steer with courage, without fear.

School Board upon stage, turning of a new page

Giving out prizes as high performers come to stage

Founding Principal and his Deputy being honoured, for their devoted duty

Plaques given out for their ability, for gaining high quality.

Chairman of the Board an old boy

To be so welcomed, what a joy

A full turnout with a welcoming shout

With no doubt of what this is all about.

Some old boys and girls as staff

In these time a challenge quite tough

Drawn by a higher call, prepared for any fall

Dedicating service to all.

Treated as a very important person

Awakened to a humbling mission

Transport to and fro

To those with me my head I must bow.

Like going home a deep feeling, in anticipation reeling

Early years of toil recalling, sinking in its full meaning

A gift of a lifetime, recalling an earlier time.

Human bonding more valuable, never will wobble

Firm and stable, like a table

All for one, one for all

Every day I answer to this call.