Story of Let me Sow Peace

I wrote this in 2009 for the Delphic Games Competition.
Thought ill repost this.
God commands us to love..
I wish that each of us would spread love
I wish that each of us will show a little kindness
And try to make the world a better place
Like Gandhi said - Be the Change you want to see in the World
I hope this poem/story will inspire you to make that difference
Embrace His words: Love one another as I have loved you.

Story of Let me Sow Peace







An old wise man lived in the town,


He lived alone right by the fount,


No one knew of his real name,


He had grown past beauty and fame






Everyone seek him because he was wise,


You get a piece or two even if you’re not nice,


He was someone and whom everyone sought after,


For he was eccentric and unlike any other






One day came a shy young lad,


Handsome and tall but scantily clad,


He was what the world perceived as mad,


One who knew nothing of fashion and fad






The old man pitied he who was smeared with grime,


Gave him a seed the size of a dime,


He took it gladly with a newfound joy,


Promising to nurture it with a look so coy






He skipped and danced overflowing with happiness


He still could not believe this old man’s graciousness


There was none who has given him such treasure


He would keep to his heart his one and only pleasure






This young boy had no gold or glitter,


He had nothing that would make eyes go flutter,


He had no riches, not even a coin or two,


He had no one to love, hug or even to coo


 He thanked the old man with deep gratitude,


Telling himself to be charged with greater fortitude,


He hugged, held and clasped the seed so tightly,


For fear of losing what remained his one and only






The next morning he gathered some brown soil,


Back at the park where he begun to toil,


He buried the seed with extreme care,


Something he did on a note so rare






He sprinkled water on the spot so damp,


Finishing his task he felt like a champ,


He knelt on his knees ignoring the searing pain,


And prayed God will grant him sunshine and rain






He had no place to call a home,


So he slept by his seed with no need to roam,


He watched over it every second day and night,


Never leaving his precious seed out of his sight






Days went by and turned into a week,


He patiently waited by himself nearby the creek,


A small stalk begun to shoot and grow,


Sprouting baby leaves but it seemed so slow






The young man endured long hours of cold and grind,


Keeping warm by all means that he could find,


Never giving up despite pangs of hunger,


Although at times an empty stomach provoked him to anger







Alas the stalk grew taller reaching to the sky,


He made sure no one trampled on it when they pass by,


He loved it even more with tenderness and care,


Although his own sufferings are hard to bear






Spring came and the sun shone with majesty,


Heat burned the young man and he couldn’t help but be sweaty,


His stalk grew bigger with small buds sprouting,


He jumped for joy with his young face beaming






He faithfully continued to lie and wait,


Of what would become of his seed’s fate,


He did not lose hope nor became agitated,


Lovingly he watered and tended to it unabated






Summer came and shined forth a blinding glow,


Even the trees, birds and grass to it must bow,


A small purple flower from the stalk started to blossom,


Its petals were delicate and soft like a mother’s bosom






The young man was overjoyed to see a flower so dainty,


He could not help but gazed at its dazzling beauty,


His heart cried with pride and glory,


All his efforts were returned bountifully






He felt like a father seeing his daughter mature,


His purple flower had blossomed even without manure,


Such a rare sight in the midst of an empty park,


What a charm that it had made its mark






It grew and bloomed and multiplied


Smaller buds rapidly emerged and one wondered why


Soon after the park turned into a flowering bed


Passer-bys stopped amused at a park once used to be dead






Each passing day became enlightenment,


A bigger crowd would hung around with faces of bewilderment,


Children playing hide and seek amidst the enchanting flowers,


Parents admiring the scenery without realising the passing of hours






The young man felt contented and satisfied


He felt he had done his job right


He longed to show that old man his accomplishments


He hoped to meet him and fish for compliments






More and more visitors came to relax and unwind,


Some walked their dogs while some brought wine,


It was quite a spectacle to see,


Till the press and media had to agree






Someone found out about the young man’s actions,


Seeing his poverty the public gave him donations,


He then owned a home which he claimed his mansion,


Young and old they made endless contribution






Students are inspired and started making plantations,


College kids are encouraged to build gardens of carnations,


Housewives are influenced to plant roses in their apartments,


Secretaries are prompted to have flower pots in their compartments






The city was booming with a picturesque so lovely,


A colourful array of flowers filled every corner amazingly,


A scent flooding so great it was almost heavenly,


A sense of peace and tranquillity filled the entire city






The young man could never be happier


Alas one day he found an old man looking at him so dear


An instant flash everything came back to him so clear


This was the man who touched his life without fear






He thanked the old man and asked if he remembered


‘Of course’ he said ‘you’re the one covered with sod and amber’


‘Why did you give the seed to me?’ the young man implored


‘O why not? I was only passing a piece of me to my fellow kindred’






Tears swelled up in the young man’s eyes,


The old man never looked at him as if he was infected with lice,


He vowed to be kind and compassionate without hesitation


To spread messages of love and peace with full exhortation






Who would have known a single seed,


Could be fruitful and encouraged all to do a good deed,


What more to say if a single soul would please,


Stand up and say ‘Let me Sow Peace’

Cecil, I'm proud of you! Here's one to you for Malaysia Day!

There are very few poets i know in Malaysia. People here do not really appreciate poetry as much as other parts of the world. I remember how I felt at the Delphics when I met people who are in love with poetry, who can talk poetry. It's like I was home.


Today, I must pay tribute to this Malaysian poet whom many do not know in Malaysia but are greatly respected worldwide for his interesting poems especially those that speak of social injustices and oppression. Cecil Rajendra is his name. He was nominated for Nobel Literature Prize few years back but what inspired me was what he said.

"It becomes no longer a matter of choice, but the moral obligation and bounden duty of every responsible writer to bear witness to the times he lives in and to put his life and his work at the service of humanity."


Thank you Cecil for writing but most of all for speaking to the world about the exploitation, repression and injustices of the third world countries. You make Malaysia proud!


This is one for Malaysia Day!!
Here's an excerpt from his poem ‘To My Country’ from ‘Refugees and Other Despairs’ that I love as it expresses his concern and love for Malaysia..




“Faults in another / that would not matter /


in our loved ones / assume / cataclysmic proportions /


and if i did not care / i would not dare /


chart / your many imperfections”






p/s: Here are three links to read more about him

http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/2010/01/11/musings-on-poets-and-poetry/
http://journeytoforever.org/keith_cecil.html
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=11885

Let Me Sow Peace

      This was my first poem for the Delphic Games. I sent it in during my application. It's an expression of how i feel about the world today and the state it is in. We are supposed to be caretakers of the earth as entrusted into our hands by our beloved Father. Unfortunately, human's selfishness and greediness has drove our earth into the worst state it has ever been. Look at all the disasters in the world today.

      Anyways i decided to recite the other poem, the story in poetry. The reason is the message of love is more crucial than trying to fix the earth without love. If we have love, we have it all. As one fellow poet signed in my Delphic book of poems, she penned 'the message is love'. Back to the track, enjoy the poem below. Play some instrumental music while u read..especially one with the sounds of nature.:)

Let Me Sow Peace..

Listening to the birds that are chirping gladly,


Lying on the grass beneath trees with dew glistening,

Crossing the streams of waters that are sparkling clearly,

Immersing in the presence of flowers blossoming



Resting on the autumn beds of Mother Earth,

Basking in the golden rays of Brother Sun,

Soaking in the graceful drops of Sister Water,

Breathing in the gentle breeze of Brother Air



Those were moments of peace and serenity,

Simple pleasures derived from our nature’s beauty,

Tranquil delights poured from the sky’s simplicity,

Precious flashes of Mother Earth’s crown of glory



Who can fathom the brilliance of nature’s creation?

Who can comprehend the majesty of Mother Earth’s glow?

Who can understand the mystique of our world’s foundation?

Who can grasp the fruitfulness that the trees grow?



What has happened to once upon a time in paradise?

What has robbed of Mother Earth’s maternal protection?

What has killed the branches that give shelter and life?

What has choked Brother Air with its pollution?



The world has lost the values of life and its vitality

The world has forgotten the blissfulness of quietness

The world has lost sense of silence and harmony

The world has drowned in the seas of chaos and busyness



Mother Earth is dying from the world’s negligence

Brother Sun is trembling with the global warming

Brother Air is choking from the unnecessary consumptions

Sister Water is crying from the world’s dumping



People are living oblivious to others and their surroundings

People are killing mercilessly and destroying precious lives

People are destructing our gift of nature and fellow earthlings

People are shattering peace and joy by becoming money slaves



Why does the world neglect the earth that gives prosperity?

Why does the world ignore the cries of famine and poverty?

Why does the world pursue and chase for what is temporary?

Why does the world demolish what was once heavenly?



What has become of the sweetness of life’s journey?

What has become of the pure joy of brotherhood and unity?

What has become of our nature’s mountain and valley?

What has become of the birds and bees’ gaiety?



The pastures are no longer green and blooming

The shepherds have lost all joys of flocking and guarding

The vineyards are no longer bright and flourishing

The gardeners have lost the pride of pruning and harvesting



People are no longer smiling at their neighbours

People are no longer beaming with lustre

People are no longer respecting their elders

People are no longer preserving their culture



People are consumed with hypocrisy and vulgarity

People are congested with pangs of hunger and loneliness

People are chained up with lust and superficiality

People are hammered with incurable diseases and sickness



Why are we proclaiming justice when we fail to obey the law?

Why are we shouting equality when we neglect the poor?

Why are we campaigning when we ignore what we saw?

Why are we preaching when we close our very own door?



Why do we oppress those who seek refuge and had to flee?

Why do we deny those who hunger and thirst for water?

Why do we repress the rights to live and be free?

Why do we reject those whose lives are afflicted by danger?



The world has been grieving for far too long

The world has been longing for a brand new society

The world has been deceiving without care for right or wrong

The world has been dreaming of boundless unity



The birds are losing their nest and cease to existence

The land is losing its fertility to be productive and multiply

The families are dying from values that are prone to extinction

The unborn child loses the right to live and is forced to die



Why do we choose to ignore when we can act?

Why do we choose to forsake when we can build?

Why do we choose to be blind when we can have tact?

Why do we choose to abandon when we can yield?



Why can’t we reach a hand to those in need?

Why can’t we jump straight to embrace a good deed?

Why can’t we lend a smile to others without heed?

Why can’t we stretch a mile to help to feed?


Why are we wasting energy when we can save?

Why are we throwing away what we can recycle?

Why are we limiting ourselves only to what appears safe?

Why are we behaving lewdly and let our hands being idle?



The world can stop, reflect, look and ponder,

The world can learn to tolerate, love and care for one another,

The world can join hands to unite with each other,

The world can reach out to the cries of those over yonder



People can frown less and try to smile more,

People can complain less and be more grateful,

People can be slow to judge and care more,

People can be less selfish and strive to be helpful



Heal Mother Earth that it may continue to nurture us,

Restore Sister Water that it may continue to cleanse us,

Conserve Brother Sun that it may continue to shine its light on us,

Purify Brother Air that it may continue to breathe life into us



The world must stop hurting and unite in prayers

The world must start building bridges of faith and trust

The world must look beyond colours and races

The world must move to compassion to the outcast


What are we doing to spread messages of love and harmony?

What are we doing to sow seeds of peace for the next generation?

What are we doing to stop destruction and killing without mercy?

What are we doing to preserve our culture and tradition?



Sowing seeds of hope upon the vast fields,

Scattering seeds of smile beyond the horizons,

Watering stalks of trust to gather their yields,

Pruning branches of peace to strengthen their bonds



Bearing immeasurable fruits beyond comprehension,

Sorrows turn to smiles and tears turn to laughter,

Anxieties turn to calmness and hatred turns to passion,

Fears turn to trust casting away fruits that are bitter



Listening to the leaves rustling and the wind blowing,

Capturing tranquillity in the forests that is chilling,

Gathering woods in winter that is ever so freezing,

Enjoying the slow walk amidst the sun setting



Mother Earth stands gloriously astounding,

Brother Sun shines light with mere transcending,

Sister Water flows gracefully and softly illuminating,

Brother Air whispers breeze gently caressing


Oh those are our deepest desires for a new day

When wars, troubles and evils are tied to a leash

That can only happen when each willingly say

O let me sow peace

A Story of Let me Sow Peace

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A picture of my recital

       

 I wrote this for the third Delphic Games held in Jeju, South Korea last year. I was honoured to represent Malaysia in the Lingual Arts category (poetry). The recital was a great experience. I hope the message shines forth.

A Story of Let me Sow Peace







An old wise man lived in the town,


He lived alone right by the fount,


No one knew of his real name,


He had grown past beauty and fame






Everyone seek him because he was wise,


You get a piece or two even if you’re not nice,


He was someone and whom everyone sought after,


For he was eccentric and unlike any other






One day came a shy young lad,


Handsome and tall but scantily clad,


He was what the world perceived as mad,


One who knew nothing of fashion and fad






The old man pitied he who was smeared with grime,


Gave him a seed the size of a dime,


He took it gladly with a newfound joy,


Promising to nurture it with a look so coy






He skipped and danced overflowing with happiness


He still could not believe this old man’s graciousness


There was none who has given him such treasure


He would keep to his heart his one and only pleasure






This young boy had no gold or glitter,


He had nothing that would make eyes go flutter,


He had no riches, not even a coin or two,


He had no one to love, hug or even to coo


 He thanked the old man with deep gratitude,


Telling himself to be charged with greater fortitude,


He hugged, held and clasped the seed so tightly,


For fear of losing what remained his one and only






The next morning he gathered some brown soil,


Back at the park where he begun to toil,


He buried the seed with extreme care,


Something he did on a note so rare






He sprinkled water on the spot so damp,


Finishing his task he felt like a champ,


He knelt on his knees ignoring the searing pain,


And prayed God will grant him sunshine and rain






He had no place to call a home,


So he slept by his seed with no need to roam,


He watched over it every second day and night,


Never leaving his precious seed out of his sight






Days went by and turned into a week,


He patiently waited by himself nearby the creek,


A small stalk begun to shoot and grow,


Sprouting baby leaves but it seemed so slow






The young man endured long hours of cold and grind,


Keeping warm by all means that he could find,


Never giving up despite pangs of hunger,


Although at times an empty stomach provoked him to anger







Alas the stalk grew taller reaching to the sky,


He made sure no one trampled on it when they pass by,


He loved it even more with tenderness and care,


Although his own sufferings are hard to bear






Spring came and the sun shone with majesty,


Heat burned the young man and he couldn’t help but be sweaty,


His stalk grew bigger with small buds sprouting,


He jumped for joy with his young face beaming






He faithfully continued to lie and wait,


Of what would become of his seed’s fate,


He did not lose hope nor became agitated,


Lovingly he watered and tended to it unabated






Summer came and shined forth a blinding glow,


Even the trees, birds and grass to it must bow,


A small purple flower from the stalk started to blossom,


Its petals were delicate and soft like a mother’s bosom






The young man was overjoyed to see a flower so dainty,


He could not help but gazed at its dazzling beauty,


His heart cried with pride and glory,


All his efforts were returned bountifully






He felt like a father seeing his daughter mature,


His purple flower had blossomed even without manure,


Such a rare sight in the midst of an empty park,


What a charm that it had made its mark






It grew and bloomed and multiplied


Smaller buds rapidly emerged and one wondered why


Soon after the park turned into a flowering bed


Passer-bys stopped amused at a park once used to be dead






Each passing day became enlightenment,


A bigger crowd would hung around with faces of bewilderment,


Children playing hide and seek amidst the enchanting flowers,


Parents admiring the scenery without realising the passing of hours






The young man felt contented and satisfied


He felt he had done his job right


He longed to show that old man his accomplishments


He hoped to meet him and fish for compliments






More and more visitors came to relax and unwind,


Some walked their dogs while some brought wine,


It was quite a spectacle to see,


Till the press and media had to agree






Someone found out about the young man’s actions,


Seeing his poverty the public gave him donations,


He then owned a home which he claimed his mansion,


Young and old they made endless contribution






Students are inspired and started making plantations,


College kids are encouraged to build gardens of carnations,


Housewives are influenced to plant roses in their apartments,


Secretaries are prompted to have flower pots in their compartments






The city was booming with a picturesque so lovely,


A colourful array of flowers filled every corner amazingly,


A scent flooding so great it was almost heavenly,


A sense of peace and tranquillity filled the entire city






The young man could never be happier


Alas one day he found an old man looking at him so dear


An instant flash everything came back to him so clear


This was the man who touched his life without fear






He thanked the old man and asked if he remembered


‘Of course’ he said ‘you’re the one covered with sod and amber’


‘Why did you give the seed to me?’ the young man implored


‘O why not? I was only passing a piece of me to my fellow kindred’






Tears swelled up in the young man’s eyes,


The old man never looked at him as if he was infected with lice,


He vowed to be kind and compassionate without hesitation


To spread messages of love and peace with full exhortation






Who would have known a single seed,


Could be fruitful and encouraged all to do a good deed,


What more to say if a single soul would please,


Stand up and say ‘Let me Sow Peace’