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

Earth Hour 25.03.2017, 8.30PM

From a spaceship as it flips

A short blip like a movie clip

A ball moving in an arc, one side dark

Even if dogs bark making its mark.

Flickering lights on earth`s night

Like a ball alight one half bright

Marking Earth Hour with human power

The whole world without lights, a dark sight

Taken to new heights, with will powers` might.

A collective action, like a human wave in motion

Committed to action, with much satisfaction

The earth given a rest, for us a new test

Saving energy across from east to West.

On our part, turning off all power

For an hour, with darkness as cover

We played our part with full heart

With the world with action smart, not to be apart.

A life in abundance, but energy dependent

For our ways to mend, change ways redundant

Draining energy sources, depleting our resources

Oil and gas from earth sources, speeding up our losses.

Alternative to gas and oil, freeing burden of the soil

Solar panels to toil, like an energy coil.

For solar panels to make, energy from oil must take

For posterity's sake, to this we must awake.

Left far behind, a sustainable way to find

This way to bind, we must change our mind

What is left of our energy, must use intelligently

Abandon the piracy, for a new synergy.

There are those who ignore, these moves they abhor

Wanting to earn more, enriching their worldly stores.

We see a new dedication, with committed action

A growing satisfaction, with formidable traction.

Tennis Anyone?

 A time for tennis and keeping awake

Racquets, towels, rest times, injury breaks

Players looking smart and fit

Audience in their seats expectantly sit.

Following the ball, head moving side to side

Shrieks, moans when ball goes wide

Linesmen at risk from ball trajectory

At 150 mph can easily cause injury.

The gallery behaving as one

Every shout, cheer and moan predictably sung

Breathing, heaving like a giant awakened

A three hour spell of excitement.

Ball boys and girls in position

Well trained for helpful action

Everyone in place

Even when game picks up pace.

There are ways to pick up and throw

Helping to keep the game flow

Ready with balls for the server

Making it easy for the player.

 

With sweat dripping on a hot day

Towels ready for wiping away

Without ball boys and girls ready

No chance for game to flow steady.

Players looking fit and trim

Men and women mostly slim

Arms and legs muscled

From workouts carefully scheduled.

Anywhere in the world

In heat or cold

A different class of viewers

Watching self - controlled players.

Without body contact

Less chance for physical attack

As a civilized game

Tennis making its name.

Court rage very rate

Happens when tempers flare

Umpire, linesman making a mistake

Or when bad strokes made.

When this does happen

Rackets flung and broken

Ball hit wild into the crowd

Cries of alarm clear and loud.

No room for give and take

All out for match point to take

Winner takes all

No drawn match as in football.

The gallery of fame

Pictures of well - known names

To be one of them

Is every players dream.

Veteran players in the gallery

Watching prodigies playing gallantly

Now serving as coaches

As middle age approaches.

For runners up no gallery

Even if they played gallantly

Crest fallen and in despair

On another day victory can aspire.

Tennis is here to stay

A long and challenging way

Younger players in waves emerging

Future of tennis very promising.

MPP

15.2.17