The Muruku Murmurations

NaPoWriMo Challenge Prompt Week 15: "Today I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that incorporates the idea of doubles. You could incorporate doubling into the form, for example, by writing a poem in couplets. Or you could make doubles the theme of the poem, by writing, for example, about mirrors or twins, or simply things that come in pairs. Or you could double your doubling by incorporating things-that-come-in-twos into both your subject and form." This poem is written in Cantonese and English. Translations in Mandarin and English is listed at the end of each stanza. Special thanks to my cousin Suzanne for the help with translation . Inspired by a challenge from famous Hong Kong variety TV show, 'Supertrio' in accordance with the Chinese Lunar New Year. Gong Hei Fatt Choy! Choy San Dao! Dou Chin Em Sai Sai Dou Dai Lei Sai Sai Matt Geng Geng Chou! Chou Lai Si. [English translation]                   ...

It is monsoon season on the west coast of Malaysia and I have been getting caught in the rain for quite a fair bit. The weather can get rather fierce but nothing beats running in the rain. Tiny water droplets wet my cheeks as unpredictable gusts of wind shift my weight in every direction My outstretched palm feels nothing but moist wind weaving through my fingers. My eyes gaze upon the bright sky Clear flamboyant sea of white tinged with shades of gray Clouds rolling madly over each other melting into a mass as the sky grows darker. Frantically I run My heart in palpitations Cold sweat send chills down my spine Shudder in my footsteps My toes confused with misdirection. Lightning flashes like the strikes of ferocious titans enraged by the pleas of the people Clashing their weapons in a high tension duel. Fierce lightning rips the sky apart Shredding the menacing gray clouds with streaks of charged bolts Bright blasts fire across the dark canvas ...

People think that what they see on the social media platform reflects the truth. Think again. The pictures I get tagged in are just signs to tell you, I am alive But what is happening The emptiness inside The bitterness that resides You would not see it coming. I put up songs on my wall instead of status updates Because my words, They fail me They cannot convey what lyrics and melody can about my state. I share random videos to populate my news feed All because I cannot deal with the turmoil that I feel like an undercurrent of foolishness In a chaotic rodeo Every time I scroll, I think if I should just tap 'Delete'. In the end, there is nothing social About social media Because I am still stuck in a medium of anti-socialism and absent from topics that are crucial It is a facade of spectra To cover up the absence of presence. - Swit Marie 15:20H 6th December 2016 Bangsar Park

Throughout the whole month of November, we had rain every day. Some days we had massive thunderstorms. Those would be the days when I want to snuggle up in my blanket or go outside and run or dance in the rain. When I cannot do either, I write about the weather. Rain drops pattering On steel railings Dripping down window panes In the background This keeps me sane. Steady winds pushing, A thousand leaves rustling, Dust and debris in movement, Swirling madly Carried by the current. Scattered streaks of light Flashing in my sight Striking fear as it strikes the ground Shaking and trembling The earth all around. Thunder roaring, The airwaves shuddering Through the atmosphere Snapping and lashing A thunderstorm is here. - Swit Marie 01:52H 16th November 2016 Bangsar Park

NaPoWriMo Challenge Prompt Week 14 "Today’s prompt comes to us from  TJ Kearney , who invites us to try a seven-line poem called a  san san , which means “three three” in Chinese (It’s also a term of art in the game Go). The  san san  has some things in common with the tritina, including repetition and rhyme. In particular, the  san san  repeats, three times, each of three terms or images. The seven lines rhyme in the pattern a-b-c-a-b-d-c-d." Open the door for me To opportunities I did not foresee For I did not know the potential I had As I was used to letting me be For I did not fight nor flee My numbness was potent I was neither happy nor sad and now you have made me important. - Swit Marie 1955H 10th January 2017 eGG HQ

I recently had a very disturbing dream about someone close to me disappearing. I had realised that if it became a reality, there is a possibility that he would not be missed. I do not usually push myself to write with very strong emotions, this is a challenging piece to write and in the process, I did do some self-reflection as well. Abandonment. My presence It would not change a single thing Seizing to exist No seismic shifts Platonic vibrations still persist If I were to be or not to be No major alterations Civilisation continues in its Disappointing digression My footprints are a carbon copy Of everyone else's Left behind along with the other Phantom depressions in the dirt Easily faded by the Earth. Of every written story I am one of the bystanders In the crowd, Extra! Extra! Read nothing about it. Gravitating into a black hole Weighing absolutely nothing Practically absent matter Me leaving will go un...

NaPoWriMo Challenge Prompt Week 13 " The number 13 is often considered unlucky, so today I’d like to challenge you to beat the bad luck away with a poem inspired by fortune cookies. You could write a poem made up entirely of statements that predict the future (“You will meet a handsome stranger”), aphoristic statements (“The secret to getting ahead is getting started)” or just silly questions (“How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?”) Or you could use a phrase you’ve actually received in a real fortune cookie as a title or first line. However you proceed, I hope you will feel fortunate in the results (do you get it? Do you get it? Rimshot, please). " For this challenge I used quotes for the Lord Of The stings franchise instead of lines from  Fortune cookie for well wished to Paula And Kelvin . From the day we started walking, From the day we started talking, Often we have wondered: "I am looking for someone to share an adventure that I ...

On the 31st of December, the last day of 2016, my dearest friend, Paula joined in union with her beloved, now husband. Their journey together is a very real and rich one, something that should be celebrated and highlighted. I was asked to write a poem regarding marriage, when I look at them, they are as different as night and day but both just as important and complements each other in its own way. I wrote it in mind to go hand in hand with their 'Lord of The Rings.' themed wedding as well. Dawn. The first break of daylight Chasing the land from the horizon Light invading every space imaginable Leaving no area untouched by hope and joy. That is the first rush of infatuation. Magnificent, encompassing and overpowering When emotions are riled up and adrenaline courses through every artery and vein To stir you up to do things you never thought you would in this lifetime. Dusk. When the sun sets That ball of fire is now cascading down to disappear Slowly...