An amazing canvas above us
The varying force of sun energy
paints the sky with a splattering
of temperamental clouds
against the silhouette in the horizon
creates an amazing canvas above!
-Toh HL co author and photographer, 19 May 2021
Shadow pandemic: Insecurity within the ‘security’ of a home
Shadow pandemic: Insecurity within the ‘security’ of a home (poem)
a home where love starts,
as family protector,
he safeguards them all.
a lover monster,
a demon he has become,
admist failing roles?
run, run, lady, run!
bring along babies and run!
least he catches up!
please help the victims,
aggressor 'victim' as well,
with his unseen pain!
*****
Shadow pandemic echoes the Covid-19’s pandemic. As COVID-19 curfews and lockdown orders made it even more difficult for the battered victims to leave an abusive household. This increases the likelihood of recurring domestic violence.
Looking at the ‘elephant’ as a whole, the aggressor maybe a victim of circumstances ( such as, financial) or addiction. He would need help, too!
*****
Much have been in place for the abused. As per quote below, I wonder what is next for the abuser behind bars to prevent recurring behaviors and attitudes.
*****
QUOTE:-
“Victims of domestic violence need assistance and deserve justice, I commend the crime unit’s efforts to put offenders behind bars and reach out to victims.”– Bob Riley
See how she evolves!
See how she evolves!
Found her on social media
qualified with diploma in agriculture,
degree in nursing and then,
masters in counseling.
Finally, she found her niche as a counselor!
Great to see
a bright former student
as a mother,
and growing beautifully
in person and in career
with passing years!
*****
Tuesday with Teddy
Tuesday with Teddy– Poem (A Senryū)
Who will play with me?
For I am a single child
with Teddy watching.
Teddy doesn’t fight.
Teddy watches patiently.
All my toys are mine!
A smile to set things straight (Senryū)
A smile to set things straight (A Senryū)
never seen her smile
never perfect when dented
can one fix a smile?
******
Quote:-
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. – Phyllis Diller
A well-lived present will make tomorrow, a better future.
Braving the present ( Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com)
A well-lived present will make tomorrow, a better future.
*****
grieve not the loss of breasts.
grieve not the loss of an anus.
grieve not the loss of an amputated limb.
grieve not the loss of a mentally healthy child.
It is all, but, the past.
welcome a new life beating breast cancer.
welcome a stoma, a new anus.
welcome a new prosthetic limb.
welcome a mentally well-rehabilitated child.
Live the present, the best one can.
For today, the ‘present’, well-lived,
will make a tomorrow,
a better future!
*****
Quote:-
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” – Bil Keane
Honey, have you seen my glasses?
Honey, have you seen my glasses? ( A Senryū)
I left it right here!
“Have you seen my spectacles?”
“There, it’ s on the shelf!”
****
Dad found it again!
“cos he’s the one who kept it!”
In case I lose it!
****
Have you experienced this hide and seek game at home? Unintentionally?
A Haiku, The Wild Bears — Travis J. McRoy
A Haiku, The Wild Bears — Travis J. McRoy
So this haiku originated with a simple verse from a Winnie The Pooh jingle, “I’m so rumbly in my tumblyTime to munch an early luncheonhum da de dum dum.” It got me thinking about what bears will go through just for sustenance. With no reservations at all, they will swing their arms through swarms of […]
A Haiku, The Wild Bears — Travis J. McRoy
The swiftlets’ hotel
The swiftlets’ hotel ( poem, a haiku)
As we hike uphill, we see tall buildings rearing swiftlets for the bird nest.
1 kg of raw bird nest fetches about RM5000.
My friend, Ah Seng is an entrepreneur, investing into rearing swiftlets. One needs land and a bird building costing about RM300K or above. Some convert their shops into “bird hotels.” They arrange for swift mating music, have swift droppings in the buildings to provide the smell. A certain temperature and humidity are maintained.
It’s a Chinese belief that bird nest enhances health and beauty. Swiftlet bird nests are really small. It takes about 120 nests to weigh 1 kg. Each kilo costs Rm 5000. The nests are actually made from the saliva of both the male and female swiftlets. It takes them about 2 months to build a nest.
Farmers normally harvest the nests after eggs are laid and the fledglings have flown off. The swiftlets do not fly off but will build another nests for the next season. Like turtles and salmons, the fledglings will return to make nests and lay eggs when they mature into adults.
by Toh H L, photographer and writer
An OKU (PWD) went for vaccination.
An OKU (PWD) went for vaccination.
Today Anna brought her son, Kenneth for his first dose vaccination at Axiata Arena. There were many designated sign boards to guide OKUs (PWDs).
There were some people on wheelchair at the tent.
“This is the OKU lane?” Anna asked a guard.
“Yes. Who is OKU? You? Or him?”
Then noticing his slightly stiff outstretched hands (a side-effect of anti-psychotics medication), “ah, you? This way…” Anna followed.
At a registration counter, the lady asked him, “anda takut ‘injection'” ( are you afraid of injection)?
“Tak ( No),” Kenneth straightened his shoulder proudly. The lady gave him a cute thumb-up. Anna smiled.
Entering the cubicle, the nurse asked him to sit down, “Kenneth, do you know why you are here today? ”
“… for vaccination,” his legs were shaking vigorously, though he put up a brave front. He pulled up his sleeve.
“Breathe in and out, Kenneth,” Anna instructed him as the nurse gave the injection.
There were some people who stared at this abled-looking young man who seemed to bypass them in the queue.
Then they went to the observation bay to sit for a while before being allowed to leave the arena.
It was fast. In less than forty minutes they were out of the arena.
“I am proud of you, Kenneth!” Anna was so glad all went well for the day.
Chen Song Ping 