The Wrath
Atop a rugged mountain range.
We strung out in ambush.
And waited for the enemy.
A cobra recoiled, ready to strike.
A spider, waiting for the slightest vibration
to sink its fangs and inject the poison.
Came nightfall, the weather declined.
Rain poured in torrents wild.
Lightning, flashes blinding.
Thunder claps, deafening.
No sign of abatement.
Our tents our prisons.
Perched high on rocky ground.
Opened to dangers abound.
Cascading waterfalls,
Thunder and fire balls.
I cringed with worry – intuition.
A while later, a shout of exasperation
from the nearest ambush position.
Dismayed that my fear confirmed.
Struck by lightning!
Four soldiers took refuge under a tree.
Three injured slightly, one seriously.
Four claymore mines blown off instantly.
Next day a winching point we looked.
Atop the mountain spooked.
To evacuate the injured soldier
to Base and recover.
Knowing the futility of our ambush,
the danger in the lightning strikes zone,
we moved to lower ground less prone.
God must have been angry.
That man should kill man - fiery.
That man should choose to disobey.
The price he’ll surely pay.
Instantaneous or delay.
Think – pray!
Friday 10 November 2017
When Death Stares
When Death Stares
Death, grotesque, stared.
My mind snared.
Memories unrolled most revered.
Dear wife and children adhered.
Brothers and sisters remembered.
Worldly responsibilities unfinished.
Regrets unaccomplished.
What would happen
to my wife and children?
Who’d look after them?
Who’d love them?
What would happen when I’m gone?
I’ll miss them and they’ll mourn.
Their hearts will cry.
Their tears run dry.
That was a nasty dream.
It shook and gave me the hint.
What I should do to remember
all things I hold dear.
Death, grotesque, stared.
My mind snared.
Memories unrolled most revered.
Dear wife and children adhered.
Brothers and sisters remembered.
Worldly responsibilities unfinished.
Regrets unaccomplished.
What would happen
to my wife and children?
Who’d look after them?
Who’d love them?
What would happen when I’m gone?
I’ll miss them and they’ll mourn.
Their hearts will cry.
Their tears run dry.
That was a nasty dream.
It shook and gave me the hint.
What I should do to remember
all things I hold dear.
Death
DEATH
We know death will come.
Only God knows the outcome.
How, when and the manner
we’ll meet our Maker
is not for us to ponder.
Death is a fated fate.
Our fated duty performed,
depart we must to the world beyond.
The manners of our death will vary.
Violent or peaceful is not for us to worry.
It comes in the manner we live.
Ultimately, only God will decide all this.
We must never be unduly worried,
That our minds get carried.
Do your part to the fullest.
Your health is primary.
Your family is your responsibility.
As much as God is eternity.
Having known that you have done it.
You will not worry if God ask you to quit.
To rest sooner
and retire forever.
We know death will come.
Only God knows the outcome.
How, when and the manner
we’ll meet our Maker
is not for us to ponder.
Death is a fated fate.
Our fated duty performed,
depart we must to the world beyond.
The manners of our death will vary.
Violent or peaceful is not for us to worry.
It comes in the manner we live.
Ultimately, only God will decide all this.
We must never be unduly worried,
That our minds get carried.
Do your part to the fullest.
Your health is primary.
Your family is your responsibility.
As much as God is eternity.
Having known that you have done it.
You will not worry if God ask you to quit.
To rest sooner
and retire forever.
The Sacred Signal
THE SACRED SIGNAL
The hills and jungle echoed
the sounds of the gong.
Pulsating, intense and urgent.
Penetrating every crook and cranny.
Emergency!
Arms holding axes, hoes and knives froze in mid-air.
Hearts stopped – gasping for air.
Intently deciphering the signal unmistakable.
Usually associated with news terrible.
Such signals were only for certain occasion.
All must return.
Failure to do so will bring bad tiding
to persons disobeying.
Normally such signals were sounded
when death occurred.
Sometimes, the presence of government officials
also warranted such signals.
Today, with the availability of modern technology,
the gongs had long ceased its primary duty.
Except during celebrations,
they are used as one of the musical instruments.
The hills and jungle echoed
the sounds of the gong.
Pulsating, intense and urgent.
Penetrating every crook and cranny.
Emergency!
Arms holding axes, hoes and knives froze in mid-air.
Hearts stopped – gasping for air.
Intently deciphering the signal unmistakable.
Usually associated with news terrible.
Such signals were only for certain occasion.
All must return.
Failure to do so will bring bad tiding
to persons disobeying.
Normally such signals were sounded
when death occurred.
Sometimes, the presence of government officials
also warranted such signals.
Today, with the availability of modern technology,
the gongs had long ceased its primary duty.
Except during celebrations,
they are used as one of the musical instruments.
The Mourning
THE MOURNING
Life’s precious.
Deaths revered.
A loss to a family
Is a loss to everybody.
Mourning is the community’s duty.
Could stretch for days, likely.
Hard to depart
with one so loved
and of high regard.
One of the mourners, perches on a swing,
sings out all his life story.
All the good he had done for the family.
All the good he had done to the community.
Whilst she wails out the story, most sadly.
The others echo her
and cry their eyes out unashamedly.
The mourning went on the whole night through.
A feat not simply anybody can do.
To the Ibans of the old days.
A death must be revered thus – always.
Otherwise ‘twill be construed as disrespect.
Something unthinkable and black.
Life’s precious.
Deaths revered.
A loss to a family
Is a loss to everybody.
Mourning is the community’s duty.
Could stretch for days, likely.
Hard to depart
with one so loved
and of high regard.
One of the mourners, perches on a swing,
sings out all his life story.
All the good he had done for the family.
All the good he had done to the community.
Whilst she wails out the story, most sadly.
The others echo her
and cry their eyes out unashamedly.
The mourning went on the whole night through.
A feat not simply anybody can do.
To the Ibans of the old days.
A death must be revered thus – always.
Otherwise ‘twill be construed as disrespect.
Something unthinkable and black.
Money Grow on Trees
Money Grow on Trees
Who're we to fight the Almighty?
Who're we to fight reality?
Who're we to change the course of nature?
Who're we all these to alter?
Once in a while we must go home.
Despite having found Tanjong an excellent home.
We couldn’t and mustn’t forget our roots.
When the opportunity arose, go home we should.
Traversing the tempestuous sea,
To Kuching from Miri.
Going up the mighty Baram to battle the rapids.
‘Twas a way of life for the Kelabits.
Nearing the end of the semester holiday,
We had to find the money to pay
for our fares back to Tanjong,
our second home, where we belong.
There was no other way to earn the money.
We had to turn to the rubber and jelutong trees only.
They were the only dependable commodity
that we could turn to when we needed the money.
Who're we to fight the Almighty?
Who're we to fight reality?
Who're we to change the course of nature?
Who're we all these to alter?
Once in a while we must go home.
Despite having found Tanjong an excellent home.
We couldn’t and mustn’t forget our roots.
When the opportunity arose, go home we should.
Traversing the tempestuous sea,
To Kuching from Miri.
Going up the mighty Baram to battle the rapids.
‘Twas a way of life for the Kelabits.
Nearing the end of the semester holiday,
We had to find the money to pay
for our fares back to Tanjong,
our second home, where we belong.
There was no other way to earn the money.
We had to turn to the rubber and jelutong trees only.
They were the only dependable commodity
that we could turn to when we needed the money.
Bribery
Bribery
Coffee money.
Tea money.
Honey.
Lubrication.
Commission.
Call it names you feel right.
It’s still a Bribe.
A rose by any other name
is still a rose all the same.
It’s an obstacle to fairness,
business and services.
It cuts queues and views.
Bias is one of the blues.
It’s a powerful tool.
Disobedience to laws and rules.
Protected forests can be denuded.
Procurement of projects included.
Fairness, eligibility, competency,
ability, quality, desirability
are often thrown out into the sea
all because of the monster called Bribery.
Beware brothers and sisters.
It can be the source of disasters.
You can lose everything including your country.
It may cause untold misery.
Avoid it at any price.
Otherwise you’ll live with the guilt all your life.
Coffee money.
Tea money.
Honey.
Lubrication.
Commission.
Call it names you feel right.
It’s still a Bribe.
A rose by any other name
is still a rose all the same.
It’s an obstacle to fairness,
business and services.
It cuts queues and views.
Bias is one of the blues.
It’s a powerful tool.
Disobedience to laws and rules.
Protected forests can be denuded.
Procurement of projects included.
Fairness, eligibility, competency,
ability, quality, desirability
are often thrown out into the sea
all because of the monster called Bribery.
Beware brothers and sisters.
It can be the source of disasters.
You can lose everything including your country.
It may cause untold misery.
Avoid it at any price.
Otherwise you’ll live with the guilt all your life.
The Avengers
The Avengers
Acting on information that a band of terrorists
were spotted in the vicinity a day earlier,
a nine-man patrol went to lay an ambush.
They went against the cardinal rule
never to use tracks - fools.
As they negotiated a track
sandwiched by a stream on the left
and a hill on the right,
suddenly, all hell broke lose.
They were caught in an ambush!
Bullet rains brought death instantly.
They were mowed down mercilessly.
The two men at the rear were wounded mortally.
Handicapped, they fought back bravely.
Outnumbered, they ran to Base safety
to report the matter and seek reinforcement immediately.
By the time additional troops arrived at the scene.
The terrorists had escaped and nowhere to be seen.
One soldier must had been wounded - still alive.
We found his mutilated body in the river.
He could’ve been a victim of torture.
In silence we vowed revenge.
To appease our anger and avenge.
Exactly a year later we had the opportunity.
We’d waited for months certainly.
The terrorists planned to regroup at a known rendezvous.
We trained day and night for the operation
to ensure its smooth implementation.
Under total secrecy, in the middle of the night we moved.
Not even our families were told of our intention.
In pitch-dark night we took up our positions.
By dawn, we’d completed our encirclement.
And the assaulting forces waited for H hour to be given.
As soon as visibility had improved.
The assaulting troops in formation they moved.
A couple of hours later, the first battle was fought.
Avenging the loss of our seven soldiers, we determinedly fought.
And killed five terrorists at the first onslaught.
The remainder then fled.
Later in the day they bumped into the cordon force
In the ensuing battle another two were killed
The operation planned to last 24 hours
stretched into four grueling days.
In all we accounted for seven out of eight.
And we avenged our dead comrades.
Acting on information that a band of terrorists
were spotted in the vicinity a day earlier,
a nine-man patrol went to lay an ambush.
They went against the cardinal rule
never to use tracks - fools.
As they negotiated a track
sandwiched by a stream on the left
and a hill on the right,
suddenly, all hell broke lose.
They were caught in an ambush!
Bullet rains brought death instantly.
They were mowed down mercilessly.
The two men at the rear were wounded mortally.
Handicapped, they fought back bravely.
Outnumbered, they ran to Base safety
to report the matter and seek reinforcement immediately.
By the time additional troops arrived at the scene.
The terrorists had escaped and nowhere to be seen.
One soldier must had been wounded - still alive.
We found his mutilated body in the river.
He could’ve been a victim of torture.
In silence we vowed revenge.
To appease our anger and avenge.
Exactly a year later we had the opportunity.
We’d waited for months certainly.
The terrorists planned to regroup at a known rendezvous.
We trained day and night for the operation
to ensure its smooth implementation.
Under total secrecy, in the middle of the night we moved.
Not even our families were told of our intention.
In pitch-dark night we took up our positions.
By dawn, we’d completed our encirclement.
And the assaulting forces waited for H hour to be given.
As soon as visibility had improved.
The assaulting troops in formation they moved.
A couple of hours later, the first battle was fought.
Avenging the loss of our seven soldiers, we determinedly fought.
And killed five terrorists at the first onslaught.
The remainder then fled.
Later in the day they bumped into the cordon force
In the ensuing battle another two were killed
The operation planned to last 24 hours
stretched into four grueling days.
In all we accounted for seven out of eight.
And we avenged our dead comrades.
The Dry Season
The Dry Season
Deep blue cloudless sky.
The merciless sun high.
The scorching heat.
Quivering under the beat.
The land shimmers.
Surfaces glimmers.
The atmosphere can’t cry.
Parch earth completely dry.
Streams and rivers thirsty.
In need of water aplenty.
It must have been months now,
that rain has not fallen somehow.
Occasional birds fly.
Out of necessity to try
find cooler perches
to endure the sun’s clutches.
In a black wooden barrack,
a half-naked man was relaxing
in an arm-chair profusely sweating
despite the fan turning full swing.
Back in the farms,
farmers are oblivious to the heat,
finishing off jobs that need to be done
while the weather is hot and rain refuse to come.
‘Tis usually an annual affair.
God is great and absolutely fair.
He gives us many seasonal varieties.
And we must adapt ourselves to these.
Deep blue cloudless sky.
The merciless sun high.
The scorching heat.
Quivering under the beat.
The land shimmers.
Surfaces glimmers.
The atmosphere can’t cry.
Parch earth completely dry.
Streams and rivers thirsty.
In need of water aplenty.
It must have been months now,
that rain has not fallen somehow.
Occasional birds fly.
Out of necessity to try
find cooler perches
to endure the sun’s clutches.
In a black wooden barrack,
a half-naked man was relaxing
in an arm-chair profusely sweating
despite the fan turning full swing.
Back in the farms,
farmers are oblivious to the heat,
finishing off jobs that need to be done
while the weather is hot and rain refuse to come.
‘Tis usually an annual affair.
God is great and absolutely fair.
He gives us many seasonal varieties.
And we must adapt ourselves to these.
Drowned
Drowned
I could only watch in horror as he disappeared beneath the surface.
A muffled call for help and an arm outstretched.
Eyes unseeing, resigned, bewildered and glazed.
There was nothing I could do to help but gazed!
Nothing to throw for him to catch.
No floats, no ropes, not even trash.
Going after him was a sure suicide,
As just below was water mad cascading white.
It all happened too fast.
In seconds, the cruel river had swallowed him, alas!
A search was mounted immediately.
It was only two days later we found his body.
A few kilometers down the river.
Sad, we lost a friend and we felt guilty forever.
That picture ever since had haunted me.
A curse perhaps, that I couldn’t see.
God! I wanted to help but I was hapless!
It all happened in a flash.
I couldn’t help pondering at its beginning.
A local folk did give a warning.
Not to swim in the vicinity of the jutting white rock
Said to be the guardian of its pool land-locked.
We dismissed it as mere superstition.
And swam in the invitingly calm and clear water.
This man swam too far out.
And the strong under-current pulled him out.
Strong that he was; he couldn’t fight the stranglehold.
And by the time we realised he was in difficulty.
It was too late to help and do something needy.
He was pulled down under.
Muffled call for help we could hear.
One hand outstretched and he disappeared forever.
I could only watch in horror as he disappeared beneath the surface.
A muffled call for help and an arm outstretched.
Eyes unseeing, resigned, bewildered and glazed.
There was nothing I could do to help but gazed!
Nothing to throw for him to catch.
No floats, no ropes, not even trash.
Going after him was a sure suicide,
As just below was water mad cascading white.
It all happened too fast.
In seconds, the cruel river had swallowed him, alas!
A search was mounted immediately.
It was only two days later we found his body.
A few kilometers down the river.
Sad, we lost a friend and we felt guilty forever.
That picture ever since had haunted me.
A curse perhaps, that I couldn’t see.
God! I wanted to help but I was hapless!
It all happened in a flash.
I couldn’t help pondering at its beginning.
A local folk did give a warning.
Not to swim in the vicinity of the jutting white rock
Said to be the guardian of its pool land-locked.
We dismissed it as mere superstition.
And swam in the invitingly calm and clear water.
This man swam too far out.
And the strong under-current pulled him out.
Strong that he was; he couldn’t fight the stranglehold.
And by the time we realised he was in difficulty.
It was too late to help and do something needy.
He was pulled down under.
Muffled call for help we could hear.
One hand outstretched and he disappeared forever.
Fated Life
Fated Life
You and I have a life to live.
You and I have a future to live.
You and I will strive to live.
You and I must survive to live.
We are destined to a given path.
That God has created for each of us.
We are destined to receive.
What God wanted us to achieve.
We may be destined to achieve similar goal.
The path that we follow may not be in the same bowl.
We may or may not suffer the same fate.
All the same, we may be destined to eat the same bread.
God created the human race with deliberate goals.
With all the disparities, diversities and brawls,
The bitter wars, the squabbles and the quarrels,
It is hard to fathom what’s God’s intention.
Just ponder - a grain of sand is just sand.
But a mountain of sand will make a sand dune.
Similarly, a man is just a man.
All of us, regardless of colors, makes the human race.
Are we fated to help one another?
Are we fated to kill one another?
Or are we fated to see one another suffer?
All these can we ponder?
You and I have a life to live.
You and I have a future to live.
You and I will strive to live.
You and I must survive to live.
We are destined to a given path.
That God has created for each of us.
We are destined to receive.
What God wanted us to achieve.
We may be destined to achieve similar goal.
The path that we follow may not be in the same bowl.
We may or may not suffer the same fate.
All the same, we may be destined to eat the same bread.
God created the human race with deliberate goals.
With all the disparities, diversities and brawls,
The bitter wars, the squabbles and the quarrels,
It is hard to fathom what’s God’s intention.
Just ponder - a grain of sand is just sand.
But a mountain of sand will make a sand dune.
Similarly, a man is just a man.
All of us, regardless of colors, makes the human race.
Are we fated to help one another?
Are we fated to kill one another?
Or are we fated to see one another suffer?
All these can we ponder?
The Flyer
The Flyer
The Wright Brothers were his idol.
If they could fly, he would try.
With the help of a friend he gathered enough bamboo.
Strong, flexible, light and free.
The right components they’d agree.
For days on end,
They sliced, cut, weaved and secured the bamboo.
And presto! One day, they had a glider.
But alas! Under its own weight
the wings sagged like a limp bag.
Undeterred and determined they seek advice.
From a teacher and paid the price.
He looked, pondered and wondered.
How are you going to fly this glider young man?
No problem sir! I’ll sit in the cockpit
and my friend will push me off the cliff!
I’ll be airborne like the birds, stylish.
The teacher shook his head in disbelief.
Young man, he said, there’s no better way to kill yourself!
That ended his dream of flying.
Today, he is contented of being flown
in commercial aircrafts not his own.
The Wright Brothers were his idol.
If they could fly, he would try.
With the help of a friend he gathered enough bamboo.
Strong, flexible, light and free.
The right components they’d agree.
For days on end,
They sliced, cut, weaved and secured the bamboo.
And presto! One day, they had a glider.
But alas! Under its own weight
the wings sagged like a limp bag.
Undeterred and determined they seek advice.
From a teacher and paid the price.
He looked, pondered and wondered.
How are you going to fly this glider young man?
No problem sir! I’ll sit in the cockpit
and my friend will push me off the cliff!
I’ll be airborne like the birds, stylish.
The teacher shook his head in disbelief.
Young man, he said, there’s no better way to kill yourself!
That ended his dream of flying.
Today, he is contented of being flown
in commercial aircrafts not his own.
The Protest
The Protest
News of the impending name-change
Came down hard without warning – strange!
Tanjong Lobang College was going to be renamed!
The news spread like wild fire.
And a rain of spears all over.
There was uneasiness and unusual quietness.
‘Twas a calm before the storm.
Electrifying atmosphere.
Silence you could almost hear.
Angers reached boiling point.
All against the name-change.
Why O why must you change?
What was your rationale
that you dared to ignore
the students’ emotional attachment
to the College salvation.
They couldn’t accept reality
that political leaders had the final authority.
Blinded by their blinding emotions,
they couldn’t see the alleged reasons.
The students protested.
No classes were declared.
Absolute chaos were seen.
And the Police were called in to intervene.
State and Federal Authorities came.
To pacify and determine who to blame.
Amazingly, the students stood as one voice.
They remained united and gave no choice
to the authority but to treat the incident as a bad dream
Despite sacrifice extreme.
The name-change was carried out anyway.
Who could fight the power of the day?
The incident is now history.
To students of the College bygone.
The magic of Tanjong Lobang may had gone
but the memory in us lives on.
RACING THOUGHT BEFORE A BATTLE.
Racing heart beat.
Pumping blood heated.
Death and life in a vice.
Broiling thoughts flies.
Will I live through the peril?
The thought of death is real.
For just in a moment
you'll know for certain.
Glimpses of family I never forgot.
How will they live without me?
I know good hands in the Army.
To care for them aplenty.
Woe betide the enemy hunted!
They must be eliminated.
They have caused enough problem.
For all of us and the nation.
Don't cry if I die.
It is my choice.
I have chosen this career.
Where death is always near.
As fate had willed it.
I survived through the feat.
Today when I reminisce.
Feeling of pride I cannot resist.
.
Racing heart beat.
Pumping blood heated.
Death and life in a vice.
Broiling thoughts flies.
Will I live through the peril?
The thought of death is real.
For just in a moment
you'll know for certain.
Glimpses of family I never forgot.
How will they live without me?
I know good hands in the Army.
To care for them aplenty.
Woe betide the enemy hunted!
They must be eliminated.
They have caused enough problem.
For all of us and the nation.
Don't cry if I die.
It is my choice.
I have chosen this career.
Where death is always near.
As fate had willed it.
I survived through the feat.
Today when I reminisce.
Feeling of pride I cannot resist.
.
Thursday 9 November 2017
THE RED HACKLES LEGACY.
(The Red Hackles is an ex 3 Rangers Officers Association. We are bonded by our glorious past)
Having traversed the tempestous sea.
Emerged a necessity to defend the Country.
Patriotism supreme full to the brim.
These young men were real mean.
Lives have they lost.
Defeat, a fire difficult to douse.
Victory have they made.
Waves they caused to revebrate.
From this conflagration friendship interwoven.
Its strength was gruesome!
More than forty years on they are still strong.
Their struggles and hardship were the binding force.
Now in their twilight years.
They meet often to relive the tears and laughters.
To relive the memory dear.
More importantly to keep the spirit in cheer.
Under rate them you not!
The Red Hackles were a terrifying lot.
Sum up their successes.
They were the Army's best!
(The Red Hackles is an ex 3 Rangers Officers Association. We are bonded by our glorious past)
Having traversed the tempestous sea.
Emerged a necessity to defend the Country.
Patriotism supreme full to the brim.
These young men were real mean.
Lives have they lost.
Defeat, a fire difficult to douse.
Victory have they made.
Waves they caused to revebrate.
From this conflagration friendship interwoven.
Its strength was gruesome!
More than forty years on they are still strong.
Their struggles and hardship were the binding force.
Now in their twilight years.
They meet often to relive the tears and laughters.
To relive the memory dear.
More importantly to keep the spirit in cheer.
Under rate them you not!
The Red Hackles were a terrifying lot.
Sum up their successes.
They were the Army's best!
THE EL NINO.
THE EL NINO
You are a destructive force.
No rain and extreme heat you cause.
Rivers, streams and lakes run dry.
All living things cry.
Are you trying our patience?
Are you testing our endurance?
Are you questioning our evolution?
Have we answered your questions?
As you can see we are fragile.
Even your little test gives us the bile!
What more unprecedented force.
Definitely it will bring unprecedented woes!
Amidst your oven-like heat.
Plants withered and animals retreat.
Tempers flare and health worsen.
Unaware we will cause destruction.
Is this the beginning of Earth's distinction?
Is this how we will end for certain?
Can we our blunders unwind?
Can we human unfold and untwine?
You are a destructive force.
No rain and extreme heat you cause.
Rivers, streams and lakes run dry.
All living things cry.
Are you trying our patience?
Are you testing our endurance?
Are you questioning our evolution?
Have we answered your questions?
As you can see we are fragile.
Even your little test gives us the bile!
What more unprecedented force.
Definitely it will bring unprecedented woes!
Amidst your oven-like heat.
Plants withered and animals retreat.
Tempers flare and health worsen.
Unaware we will cause destruction.
Is this the beginning of Earth's distinction?
Is this how we will end for certain?
Can we our blunders unwind?
Can we human unfold and untwine?
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