Phone

It has been ages since I used a public phone. I thought I'd take pictures. Boring I know. Lol.

I haven't had the time to get out much and take interesting photos. Hopefully, I'll be able to again, soon.

Push - that's all it takes,

A few buttons depressed,

And connection makes.

Cost - there is a price to pay,

More than a few cents,

To get me through the day.

Tone - is it alive or dead?

Will you answer me?

Or my call do you dread?

Oh yes - it takes more,

Than a few cents,

And a few depressions,

To get me through to you...

A Long Wait

It's a long wait,

Almost endless, almost forever,

Amidst the clanging silence of never.

What is this hope that drifts in and out?

A cruel play... twisting emotions?

Or a merciless game of false notions?

It's light, no wait, it's dark.

Who can ever tell?

It's yes, oh wait, it's no.

Now isn't that just swell….

With half blind eyes I look upon your promise,

But you know, I've always been a doubting Thomas…

So humour me.

Happy New Year

A whole year past and gone,

The play is over, the curtain is drawn,

Is there an applause, a thundering ovation?

Or the terrible hiss of deprecation?

But above and beyond all that I've done,

The good deeds, the white lies, and bad sticky buns,

There are many things to be grateful for,

The many blessings I cannot ignore.

So although the past year has not been the best,

And still many regrets I cannot lay to rest,

I'm thankful for everything that has come my way,

And with this in mind, tomorrow will be a better day...

The morning sun shining down on Piazza Castello in Torino. It's warm rays are so welcoming and happy. So, Happy New Year...and have a great year ahead!

Friends

To my dear friends...

It seems a long time since we've met,

Whether in person, or through the net...

I have a tale which is painful to tell,

Of how I disappeared down a well.

That was the day I sailed away,

To a different world in a different realm,

There was no magic, neither were there dreams,

Only sadness, fears, and silent screams.

Behind me, I shut the portal into that dark place,

I did not want you to see me in such disgrace,

I couldn't bare the thought of you knowing,

Of the million tears from me flowing.

And thus I removed myself from your sight,

But know, I missed you on countless nights.

And there beyond the reaches of light,

In the midst of my unhappy plight,

I had not forgotten the friendship we've shared,

I treasure it still, as I've always cared...

Any hurt I've caused, I did not ever intend,

I hope it's not too late for me to amend...

The no exchange of greetings or pleasant conversation,

No smiley faces or emoticons to halt the alienation,

Tis a tragic failure on my own part,

I pray you will not take this to heart.

You who showed compassion when it was in want,

For being warm-hearted and not nonchalant,

I want to thank you for being a dear friend,

I should not want our friendship to end.

Take care always...

This is me...the slug...who hides in a shell...(sometimes anyway)

Seasons of life

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven...

Just as nature must take its course,

Through splendid springs and winter frost,

Our lives too change with time,

With different rhythms, different rhymes.

Times for new things and looking forward to the future,

Times for hard work and for us to mature,

Times to reap seeds planted in the past,

Times for hardships, and closure at last.

We may not always understand the things we go through,

Sometimes sadness and anger throw things askew,

But keep your chin up, for all hope can bring,

For without winters, there cannot be spring.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven...

As the Black Ink Slowly Fades...

For David...

Listening to the smells of a rainy day, looking into the dead chill of twilight, holding on to two crumpled movie passes of seasons past. The ink was barely visible...and he could do nothing to stop it from disappearing altogether.

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will the memories too fail?

Like old bricks once so strong,

Fall away from the house that was meant to last forever.

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will your love for me too die?

Like the fires out in winter,

With nothing enough to feed it. To nurture it.

Will you not let me burn for you?

The one who left you too soon,

Because of this I am alone,

As I desperately try to hold onto,

The shattered pieces of what was once us,

Plunged into the river of time,

Alas I cannot outdo the river,

And the memories escape my grasps...

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will you try to strip away?

The flesh from my bones,

Where you were once me, and I was once you.

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will you not recall?

The boy who would climb hills with you.

The man who would climb mountains for you.

As the black ink slowly fades...

***

Photo taken in Paris last December

End of the Universe...

I want to fly away...

Past the furthest star at the end of the universe,

And in the Drifting Desolateness make my home.

Where I can be safe....

Alone.... but safe,

From you.

But I have no means to fly...

Where are the strong wings that should be?

In their place, Sad Stumps of brokenness,

That could not take flight...

Clipped.... long ago,

By you.

I wish it all away...

The sadness of the past that carries on into the future.

Laughing amidst the burning tears of hurt,

Laughing at the futility of a Waifish Wish,

The remains of the dead child within me that never grew.

I carry it still in my arms...

As if trying desperately to comfort it.

Holding it, where loving arms should have been.

Only it no longer breathes to feel,

It no longer breaths to live,

But to its forlorn form, I continue whispering...

Everything is going to be okay,

Everything is going to be okay...

And tomorrow is another day...

Till then in the darkness I'll with it stay,

Till we both see the light of that beautiful star,

At the end of the universe,

Away from you.

***

Cold on a Cold Day...

The rain falls from the heavens,

Strong and heavy,

Clear and steady.

The temperature drops,

The skin turns cold.

And mists begin to form,

In thin white wisps,

And the green hills are now a blurry grey.

I don't have to cry,

I'll leave that bit to the sky,

And when I see you online...

I remember. I smile. I forget.

I think about saying 'Hi'

But no...

I am invisible to you

And I want it that way...

It's a cold cold day...

***

Photos taken in Sekayu, Malaysia.

Henry and the Ancient

You've met Henry (here).

Henry with the musket.

If you think he's scary...

Look who's he aiming at.

Let's take a closer look...

Meet the Ancient...

His name is Eudomius.

Eudomius is angry.

Eudomius is strong.

He wants to fight Henry.

Something's gone wrong.

Musket Vs Dagger....

Who do you think will win?

I hope they don't kill each other,

That would be a sin.

***

Sorry for this childish post :) I couldn't resist.

The Soldier with the Musket

Meet Henry.

The soldier with the musket.

He drinks sherry.

He loves a racket.

See the blue flask? Yep, that's where Henry stores his sherry.

***

This toy soldier belongs to my little brother. He begged my dad to buy it from a flea market in Moncalieri. It's quite heavy. Well-made. I took photos of Henry here when my brother was away in school to avoid any objections :)

P.S. I named him Henry. My brother knows nothing about this =D

Begin Falling

It's okay to fall.

Can one have so much pride?

Even nature in all its bounty,

Knows how to be humble.

The beautiful gems in its hair,

Must curl up and die.

Its virescent dress of jade,

It unfastens slowly,

As falling leaves fading away.

And even it knows how to cry,

With its showers of rain from above.

And its warm smile soon turns cold.

But there is beauty there in its tears,

Refreshing and sweet is its waters,

Falling gently from above.

And even as its warmth pales to a chill,

Its fading dress strewn across the earth gives out warm hues of red and gold,

that can only bring a smile to my face.

Yes, it's okay to fall.

I fell in love with the colours :) They look like yellow stars.

Above: Leaves in the midsts of browning.

I took these photos because I found the roots of the trees in these pics so interesting. When I look at the bottom photo I immagine two lovers embracing...Hmmm

Below: Dead Flowers. Sad, yet pretty in a dark way.

***

Photos taken in Torino this September. Most of which taken in Parco del Valentino...my favourite place to hang out. The first photo is similar to one taken for a previous post. Not the same leaf, but the same shoes >.< I've been wearing for over a year now.

A Promise Forgotten...

Dearly Beloved,

Yesterday... before falling into the land of dreams,

Where nothing is ever what is seems,

I whispered into the cold dark night,

But also into your brilliant light,

That I should spend this very day...

Thinking of you in every way.

But last night's dreams came up in a whirl,

And dragged me down as its stories unfurled,

And when alas I finally awoke,

So far from memory was that which I spoke.

The silent promise I made to stay,

In your dear company...was miles away,

And so I busied myself with useless things,

I ignored my love, the King of kings.

And now when I dwell on your lovely presence,

I can only implore you accept my repentance,

So that once again may I on your face see,

Your sweet gentle smile while I sit close to thee.

***

Photo of the Church of St. Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli) taken in the Cavoretto hills of Torino - Via San Rocco 29

Sticks Of Ciggys and Ice Cream

Once a child upon a hill,

I craved for my weekly weekend fill,

Of ices and of rich sweet cream,

For the sound of ice-cream truck... I'd beam.

My favourite was called the Limey Brick,

It was one of those that came on sticks,

"One Limey", I'd yell out to Bob.

The ice-cream man, the town's heartthrob.

"Here ya go, son", he'd mutter,

Coz of his ciggy, he could barely utter,

And like a dragon he'd puff his stick,

While he handed me my Limey Brick.

Since then, I too have come to know,

What fascinated me so long ago,

And now two instead of one,

Indulgences have I under the sun.

And every weekend aft a few sticks,

I'd have my lovely Limey Brick.

***

I am in no way encouraging the habit of smoking. I just wrote the poem to suit the photos I took.

Kids After Midnight

Jumping up and down,

Twirling round and round,

With smiles on their young faces,

Imagination takes them places.

On the starship Bed_2009,

Travel far to see what you'll find,

Birds that swim, and fish that fly,

As the million planets go by.

After mom and dad have said goodnight,

Starts the magical magic flight,

Out the window, and out of sight,

Dare to be a kid after midnight.

***

Yay! My first "serious" illustration attempt using the Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet. I think it turned out pretty well...considering I'm no artist :)

Ps: It's been a long time since I've jumped on the bed. It doesn't help that mine's a double decker :(

Quite Quiet

I was alone the other day,

Atop a quiet hill,

When I saw you little flowers,

You gave me quite a thrill.

Your soft colors blending,

In the orange light,

Your hues of pink revealing,

You were a pretty sight.

In clusters you remain waiting,

For the rare passer-by,

To notice your sweet blessing,

That oft escapes the eye.

If only you were bigger,

And bolder you might say,

Then they'd see your figure,

Not some green bush on the way.

Do not fret dear little flowers,

Or cry cause you're tucked away,

For one day when it's quite quiet,

You'll make someone's day.

***

I was on my way home after a walk in the park, when I met them. They grew out of a big green bush, and from a distance it they didn't look like much. But upon closer examination, I found them quite lovely. Don't know the name of the plant though...

A Place Called Sadness

In my selfishness, in my solipsism,

I confined myself to a place called Sadness.

There I dwelt in tears, with hands balled into fists pounding on the earth with the question, "Why?"

I have not since found the answer to,

All the sorrow that pierced me through,

But in that sad sad miserable place,

I realized something I did misplace,

It was gratitude.

Gratitude for gifts such as these:

Eyes that see rainbow colors shimmering on soap bubbles smelling of vanilla ice-cream,

Ears that hear beautiful music playing over the radio or the gentle pattering of rain in spring,

Hands to pull close the ones I so love,

Feet to carry me through the meadows and over mountains above,

And with great remorse I fell to my knees,

To count the joys I had so often missed,

When my thoughts turned to sorrow instead of sweet bliss.

May we always be grateful for these blessings we have...

***

Sorry the poem doesn't really rhyme :(

Bridge Over the Po

To the other side,

Where the skies are bluer,

Not everyone needs a guide,

Though I wish mine would come sooner.

I can't stand to be where I am,

Where the skies always gray,

And no one here seems to give a damn,

If I've lost my way.

One of the many bridges in Turin over the Po. I don't know its name though...

***

Arrgh!!! Am so disappointed on how the photos here look on blogger. They somehow look better on my desktop. Sorry for the bad potatoes...I mean bad photos.

Alone?

Alone amidst the dark clouds,

He stares into the storm racing to meet him,

The distant light beyond the sea,

The far off songs of jubilee,

Give him strength to raise his head,

And face the troubles all else would dread,

Alone?

Never....for he carries his beloved in his heart.

***

Photo taken on the rooftops of Milan's Duomo.

Click Image to enlarge.

Pining Away

Five out of five sat at the dinner table,

Four out of five were emotionally stable,

Three out of five had great stories to tell,

Two out of five had life going swell,

But one out of five had nothing to say,

That one out of five was pining away,

For love and acceptance that should have been there,

But the four did not know it, they were unaware...

Could all the hurt felt be unnecessary?

Imaginary demons that haunt the soul?

And yet the effects—cardiopulmonary!

Eyes dilate and fingers turn cold...

Alas for that one, one can only hope,

That that one may keep the boat afloat,

Amidst the storm and the cold dark tempest,

Imaginary or not, when life seems bleakest... 

Passing From Sight...

Slowly she fades away into the light,

Very slowly passing from sight,

Not even a memory will remain,

Will all her tears be in vain?

Perhaps it's best she's forgotten,

That no one remembers she was ever begotten,

And they can go on with their lives,

Free from the guilt that caused her cries,

To go out silently into the night...