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.

Many Flagpoles

In my day, to many flags homage to pay

Union Jack, Japanese Rising Sun, Tricolour held sway

A sense of belonging lacking

Getting an identity not quite working.

In pre-war days, the British held sway

In the British way, my future lay

Trying to learn English to a high polish

Studying hard with relish.

Then came the Japanese, replacing English

A new language, with English abolished

Two years at Japanese school, during their rule

Doing our best to keep cool.

In Nippon Go was able to converse

To learning a new language not averse

Also time to learn Hindi

Rallying to the call of Netaji.

Faced with a crisis of Identity

Confusing, lacking clarity

Even so some benefits

In those times to benefit

With Independence the Malaysian Flag

A closer identity with it I had

At last a place to remain

Never having to waver again.

A language leads to culture

Their values, way of life their nature

To other cultures when exposed

In one`s own culture can repose.

Common values shared, for each other cared

Our oneness this way reared, our openness aired

Common yet special, in ways habitual

Looking casual, in many ways actual.

Ikebana, Origami, Tea Ceremony

The Japanese do this with harmony

To new heights taken, as an art proven

In times modern, into lifestyles woven.

At a tea ceremony, attended by many

Everything done in harmony

The Kimonoed Lady preparing tea

Unrushed on folded knees.

We see how cultures vary

To different heights lifted, like waves of the sea

Our culture then enriched

The best of others to ours hitched.

Language, culture, values

Creating in us something new

Need not shun other cultures

Allow it to be part of our structure.

MPP

20.4.2017