The Muruku Murmurations

This piece was written for a HitRECord contribution based on this image . Record can be found here . It was written with the intention to capture the stillness of being when you are one with your surroundings and present with nature. Once in a day of a time where the world halted in its revolve Every living thing stood still, freeze-framed in this breath A streaming gust of wind that flows through the trees, whistle as it weaves through the branches Rustles the abundant crisp, lush leaves, every single one creating a symphony in harmony. This breath of sounds seep through my being Beat my eardrums to its rhythm, fills the spirals of my cochlea, flowing sound waves flood every crevasse of my brain synching my heart to beat as one with it. A surfing surge of peace soaks my bloodstream Turning any turmoil to green, not the colour of envy but tranquility Lifting my ribcage to float in the oxygen-filled air Feet taking root in the ground as the trees Being, existing and living as though my...

Here are the links for the past e-books that Makhluk Seni has compiled through the past three years. The e-books are compilations of songs, poetry and art inspired by prompts that the team came up with for collaborations. PACT: Poetry-Art Collaboration Time! (Ebook + Art Bundle) Ver2 PACT  is an ebook compilation by Makhluk Seni that blends Poetry and Art together. What started as a single tweet with a writing prompt, has led up to this project that melts two art forms together. This ebook comprises of over 100 written pieces, and over 40 illustrations from artists worldwide. Art can truly be made more beautiful with collaborations. PACT Volume 2: Poetry-Art Collaboration Time! This is the second volume of this project, comprising of over  200 written pieces, and over 40 illustrations from artists worldwide . This year, we showcased the artworks and poems in our IMPACT event on 4th and 5th May 2019 in Twenty20Two, Petaling Jaya. And now we’re releasing this ebook so tha...

This piece was inspired by a photo taken by Julian Penissi Being in the dark is something that is familiar to me, be it literally or metaphorically. It can be disturbing, uncomfortable and even scary but there is always a sense of strength and boldness especially to hope for when you get out of the darkness. When you walk in the darkest valleys, Down the narrowest alleys, Through the longest tunnels, In the midst of your troubles.   Know that I will walk with you, Till you see a glimpse of light, I'll hold your hand, With you, I will stand.   We will wield our swords, and hold firm our shields, We will fight, Till we wipe out our enemy's fields.   - Swit Marie 0613H 23rd July 2019 TMM HQ

The other day I wrote a poem inspired by cherry blossoms and the rainy weather as that was the image I had in my head when I was reflecting on my current situation and mental state. I wrote the piece without knowing about this movie/animation and came across it when I was scrolling through the movies that recently premiered in our local cinemas. I read the synopsis and decided to go watch it the next day. I was shocked to find that the theme of the movie revolved around cherry blossoms as the protagonist's name is 'Sakura', seasons, especially spring, the tribulations of life like going through a storm and the end sequence was an exact depiction of what I had in my head as I wrote this piece. It is a beautiful story about friendship, genuine human relations, connections in between different people, how we value them and reflect their value in our every day interactions. The progression fluctuates in intensities and there is a lot of breathing room to just stay in...

Recently a very dear friend of mine lost a very close family member. I was feeling a lot of grief with him in my own space and wanted to write something that could help ease the pain and the loss. Even though their presence is not physically here on Earth anymore, they are still present, as a part of the air that we breath and the soil that our feet touch, in the memories that we have and the legacy that they have left behind. It is dawn Light rises above the line of twilight The edges turn brighter and brighter with a glaring orange glow on the line of sea Specks float scattered on its surface Ashes of our beloved Glimmering in splendour. Each speckle sparks a burst of memories of different intensities Some sparkling more with the refracting of the sunrise. As we reminisce through the chapters that were written Our emotions stirs with the currents move with the waves merges with salt of the sea This new day is laced with his voice. ...

Aside from the light house, I have always related to the light of a candle as myself. 2018 was about defining who I am as a person beyond my function and functionality, rebuilding and finding my light again. I will always be the candle lit in the darkest of days and will have that light in my life no matter how difficult the circumstances. I am also thankful for the lighthouses that are present in my life. I am a candle In the lighthouse That small glimmer of faith A light in the light house never goes off But if it does There I will be There I will stay There I will last Till the darkness comes to pass Till the light of day comes to dusk Till the we have the strength to muster up courage to live another day Standing steadfast and tall For others to see For others to seek out For others to seek refuge and hope during the storm that rages at them and challenges their survival There will be hat one things that will never fail. - Swit Marie 0300H 10th December 2018 Book...

Lighthouses have always had a strong meaning in my life especially when it comes to hope and support. It was the first thing I saw as an image when I had an encounter with God in 2005 and since then, any time I needed to find light, it would always be in a form of a light house. This is written for my close friends who have been there for me especially during my times of brokenness this year. High - Lighthouse Family You are a lighthouse, Standing steadfast and tall Not because you are above all But a beacon of hope above the walls. Your light is always shining Seen from yards away A call resounding Unwavered by the waves that sway. Guiding our way back to shore You are always there Through the harsh and fair You light up my life with care. - Swit Marie 2052H 15th October 2018 TTDI

A poem written using the imagination to sketch out how you would look like in the near future. If only these words could sketch out how you look like to me since my own artistic skills fail me. Bon Anniversaire Sylvain  Pelé A sketch of mid summer night's dream Slender curves that penciled a silhouette Shading it in the subtle dim light Warmth nestled in the soft grandiant shadows Faint feathery highlights peeked where the illuminated glow touched skin. Lean extensions of reality Stretching across broadly From finger tip to finger tips Lines drawn from the nape down the spine A smooth descend Like trickling droplets of dew Flowing down an ascending vine. Intensity accompanies every flexion of the imagination Indentations like coves carefully carved by the sea Some greater than others Some hidden away by mangroves Amphitrite rests on her throne Satisfied, she admires her creation. - Swit Marie 0413H 9th March 2018 Bahagia HQ

#NAPoWriMo2018  #Day18   Poetry Cafe KL #NaPoWriMo #abstract #art Choose your favourite painting or sculpture. Write a poem in response to it. This piece speaks to me every time I look at it. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder Who held you near whispers in your ear Telling you had nothing to fear. His arms were your comfort With little effort He opened your heart You gave no retort. He created this safe space Within these walls was your place He showed you his face You showed him your grace. In the lights and glitter Your heart began to flutter Your gaze became more blur There was no way to recover. Your judgement blinded by a veil You could not see the betrayal You trusted without fail His dance with you was going stale. He left without any goodbyes Your ears were hearing lies Full of deceitful replies Leaving you alone to cry. Fragile like porcelain Hurt by his restraints Left pale, weak and in pain Broken in the ra...

This piece was written for a special project Sylvain and I are working on. If all goes well it will be on display with some of his photographs at a cafe in Paris. This is one of the drafts and I hope to be writing many more when he is done choosing the photos. Prompt for #NaPoWriMo2018 Day 2 Theme from Poetry Cafe KL : Rebirth " Spring is here! We are officially and symbolically coming out of the darkness and moving back into the light. We have been resurrected after a symbolic death. Write a poem about new beginnings, fresh starts, letting parts of ourselves die only to be born again." At dawn I breathe in the light It stretches out into every space my chest contains Expands within every breath Warming valleys between my ribs Embracing my heart like the waves that wrap the shoreline. Exhale leaving silhouettes Like silver against dark velvet Moonlight glowing in the night amongst the shadows Like stars twinkling in the universe Drawing const...

This piece is a rooted in stories and pictures about 3 memories that are very close to Dhinesha 's heart. It was an exercise from Arielle Cottingham 's workshop held by Spill The Ink . I performed this piece for Georgetown Literary Festival 's closing ceremony, an open  m ic  session curated by the If Walls Could Talk team. The assignment : 1. Share stories based on pictures with our partner 2. Freewrite with those stories in mind 3. Extract 5 favourite lines/parts and piece them together 4. Edit the piece and add in motion to represent the words 5. Present the work in progress with the motions and receive critique . My critique was: 1. Create a constant circular motion through out the performance 2. Pull out expressions from that pool/universe I have created with my circular motion 3. Stretch and express certain words 4. Play with rhythm and sound See see see sea See water See breeze See me Sea The seas par       ...

This piece was written during a workshop taught by Melizarani T. Selva , a person who told me that I should be 'workshop-ed' and who better to learn from than the woman herself. She taught me how to write myself into a poem , how to allow people to access me via my poetry but also keeping parts of me that are vulnerable in a safe space. We were given the privilege to use The Violet Flame, Kuala Lumpur where Lupe Parada 's beautiful works were on display. Prompt: In write 14 lines, write about a specific moment in time when you felt the most sincere form of love with this person, be specific about how this person makes you feel and it is a moment that was experienced by you and only you. Describe that moment, expand that moment, use sentences of different lengths. In the midst of winter, 7-ого Января (Sedmova Yanvarya) On 7th of January in the centre of красная площадь (Krasnaya ploshad - Red Square) The people wish, "С днём Рождеством" (S dy...

This piece was written during The Muddy Confluence, a workshop put together by Afi Noor and Lily Jamaludin from Speakcity Asia for Projek Dialog and  Thinkcity 's Pesta Puisi Kota . A day filled with spoken word, heavy topics that hit home, and a melting pot of beautiful muddy poetry. Prompt: Write 14 lines about how you arrived at this city and what makes Kuala Lumpur your home. Kring... Kring... Kring... Nenekku sampai di jeti (My grandmother arrives at the jetty) Kulitnya kering dari Gunung Timur Cina (Her skin dry from the East Mountains of China) Kurus kering badannya. (Her body; just skin and bones.) Kring... Kring... Kring... Datukku sampai ke stesen kereta api (My grandfather arrives at the train station) Kulitnya kasar menjadi orang buruh (His skin rough being a labourer) Melombong bijih timah (Mining tin) Bertemu di Jalan Petaling-ling-ling-ling (They meet in Petaling-ling-ling-ling Street) Di mana Wong and Tang bertemu dengan harapan. ...

This was written as a challenge from Angelia One from Team Demigods who teaches the Semigods . #feartheredpen During the # SpillTheInk workshop with Scott Sneddon . # 2017inkedwallsday 30 # 2017inkedwallsprompt 30 # spilltheink # napowrimo # npwm   # napowrimo2017 One Two Three Maybe I will let it be... White or blue One line or two It really isn't up to you. All you want is a son My bearing hips Flowering canals I will say when I am done. I am clothed by your pride Your strength wraps my wrist My innocence replaced by your essence Where I lie is your bliss. My loss is your gain Your pleasure is my pain. I am bare As I am green You are blue Under it all, You have not a clue. - Swit Marie 1235H 29th April 2017 Titik Merah Gallery

This was the activity/assignment Scott Sneddon gave the kids for the # SpillTheInk workshop held at the end of # NaPoWriMo. We had to walk around the gallery and write a poem about the artwork. It should reference the artwork and it should also be able to stand alone as a poem. #NPWM #2017inkedwallsday29 #2017inkedwallsprompt29 #NaPoWriMo2017 Beneath the surface Locked away Hidden treasures Rooted here to stay. In the clouds Or underwater? Could it be bulbs Or tubers? Growth restricted Some escapes Floating to where the air goes Or how the water flows. From the start, it is cultivated Submerged in culture Strongly rooted Blossoming with hope. - Swit Marie 1211pm 29th April 2017 Titik Merah Gallery

Poetry inspired by a full moon atop a rooftop bar.  Oh La Luna, You shine as bright as a diamond, Better than Rihanna, Your warm white light radiant, Over the city with yellow street lights, At every gradient. La Luna you beauty, Up high in the sky, Like an all-seeing Eye, Yet even when shrouded by the clouds, Your radiance stands out, Loud & proud. La Luna to which people sing, Drunken songs and soft hymns, Some even compose lullabies, Or they try, Only to get by. La Luna tell me what you hear, In the middle of the night, When you are a listening ear, To the heartbroken & the woeful, Who are hopeful. La Luna please could you say, Tell that wayward man to go away, And the traveller with the wild heart, To try and just stay, For more than a day. La Luna it is time now to say goodnight, As you oversee some rowdy bar fights, Pretty soon you will turn out your light, And disappear for a while, Out of sight. - SB 10.53pm, 21st June 2016...

A photo-inspired poem by a picture I took.  Wahai sayangku, Ku melihat senja di langit, Menukar warna awan & menurun matahari, Dan ku teringatmu. Ku teringat pabila mu mengambilku dari universiti swasta, Dan bila ku menunggu mu habis kerja,  Ku teringat senja pabila kami beriadah, Walaupun ku tak suka bersukan. Ku mengingati senja-senja pabila ku merindui mu, Dan senja pabila kamu merindui ku.  Kami pun sabar menunggu pagi,  Untuk bersua dan berdua.  Tapi sayangku senja itu sudah berlalu, Dan sekarang telah malam,  Ku pernah mengingati mu pada banyak masa,  Tetapi bukan pada senja hari ini.  - SB 7.58pm, 24th March 2016 Kelana Jaya LRT Station

Sometimes poetry is the only outlet you have, when you're stuck in a weird in-between waiting on someone to decide whether they want to be with you or not. It's not exquisite, but it is torture. And I would never wish this on any of you. This was inspired by a picture I took.  If I could write a note for you, I wonder what it would say. Would it tell you about what I am up to, Or would it say I missed you today? Would it tell you about my sleepless nights, And how I wake up wishing I had missed your call? Or would it talk about my internal fights, About whether or not to rebuild my walls? It would be written with the tears I have cried, Or the blood that runs through my veins, Because to be patient every day I have tried, But as the day goes by I am slowly going insane. So instead of writing a note I instead write poems and listen to songs, As I sit around wondering if to you I still belong, It is Day Seven of this crippling uncertainty, If I were to write ...

Inspired by a photo taken by a good friend.  Go on pretty girl, get into the water, Let the waves crash into you, and feel yourself sink, It's alright, there is enough ocean to hold you. Go on young heart, hold steady in what you feel, Let the sounds of the waves hitting the sand drown out everything else, Listen to the sound within. Feel that sand between your toes sweetie, Let your heart burst into fragments of emotions that you feel, The ocean can take it, so can the sky. Bury your toes onto that sea shore darling, Stand firm against the adversities you might face, They will pass, but you make sure you're still there when they are gone. It's alright if you get drenched, if water gets into your nose and chokes you, In the end, the tide will recede, there will be a calm, And in the end - there will be you, and you would have made it. So go on, get in the water. What's the worst that could happen? - SB 5.18pm, 14th September 2015 Ghetto...