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