tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15864387819328545242024-03-14T02:11:04.711+08:00As Written In My DiaryA collection of poems in journal entry form.Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-18900268487475653932024-02-11T20:53:00.002+08:002024-02-11T21:03:23.778+08:0011th February 2024<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">T</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">he gunfire has receded</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">From intense to sporadic,<br />A sign of rebel withdrawal</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the city streets and alleyways</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Back to their lairs and hideouts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the jungles and the forests</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of tropical Malaysia<br />Until the next round of festivities </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When the next Emperor God </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Takes his rightful place </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the sky<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And everyone rejoices<br />With shell bursts way up high</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">From howitzers and mortars</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">And an RPG or two<br />And sometimes multiple blasts<br />From an MLRS too.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-83011366331977952062023-11-14T02:39:00.001+08:002023-11-14T02:56:24.371+08:0012th November 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Weep not, O Palestine, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For your children are not dead</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nor are your women dead</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nor your men,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Slaughtered in the name of jihad</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">By the thousands,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For they are martyrs,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Martyred in the name of Allah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Who will be welcoming them in paradise</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And crowning them with dignity and honor,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The highest that can be attained</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> In all of Islam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Rejoice, O Islam, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Rejoice, O Muhammad,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For ten thousand new martyrs </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Are on their way to join you </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In paradise,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On board the train which bears the souls of martyrs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And transports them to heaven</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Where eternal bliss and the highest of honors,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And in the case of the men,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sexual delights in the arms of seventy-two virgins,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Awaits them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bless him, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The ticket inspector who punched your tickets</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As you waited to board the train,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">O Palestine,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And thank him</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Instead of cursing him,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He who displayed on his ticket inspector's uniform</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The star of David,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For it was he who has helped your martyrs,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All ten thousand of them,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Attain the highest of honors </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In all of Islam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God bless martyrdom! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">God bless the Shaheed who is martyred in the way of Istishhad!</div>Allah-u-Akbar!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Allah-u-Akbar!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Allah-u-Akbar!</span></div><div><br /></div></div><p><br /></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-28435174002833754462023-11-11T19:37:00.000+08:002023-11-11T19:37:59.264+08:0011th November 2023<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I gave you a whole room where you could be all by yourself,</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">For you and your babies,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And how do you thank me?<br />By spitting in my face</div><div style="text-align: center;">And taking your precious babies elsewhere,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not once but twice.<br /><br />The neighbors have complained,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not once but twice.<br />"Are these your kittens?" they said.</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Take them away," they said. </div><div style="text-align: center;">"We know not what to do with them," they said.<br />Not once but twice,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And now you have done it again.<br /><br />I gave you a whole room where you could be all by yourself,<br />For you and your babies,<br />And how do you thank me?<br />By spitting in my face<br />And taking your precious babies elsewhere,<br />For the third time now.<br /><br />Enough!<br />Henceforth, you will no longer be welcome in this house</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whose open doors and welcome mat you have spat upon</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the third time now.<br /><br />You will be shooed away on sight.<br />If within reach, you will be caned on sight.<br />If out of reach but within air soft pellet range,<br />You will be shot on sight.<br /><br />Until the day you submit to me,<br /><i>The Hand That Feeds You</i>,<br />And bring your babies back.<br />No longer will I be the hand that feeds you.<br /><br />Not as I have decided<br />But as you have chosen,<br />Thou fool of a mama pussycat.<br /><br /><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></div><p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-29764296321854158672023-10-27T22:21:00.000+08:002023-10-27T22:21:16.018+08:0027th October 2023<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just look at you.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">God must've been so pleased with himself the day he made you,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">He would've declared that day a holiday.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just look at you.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">God must've been so pleased with himself the day he made you,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The look of satisfaction on his face would've lasted from sunrise until sunset.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just look at you.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">God must've been so pleased with himself the day he made you,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">He would've summoned everyone from the four corners of his kingdom<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">For a day of feasting and merriment.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvEkTKWpxNpYdLVR8J4dUPM-oUePy7Nj0VZ_tjhoQCBzXQJy1chiybrgrSYZJq2IFsJG8sq_E6VDRppLOF-9fAHbP3zLNGcqFUhidIcoEtvTH7L3EzR2EH5WsomQPs6Ij7rsVMArqVZkWyztZZaMCsf9NlmqvCynvhx1KSWTTWlMmHbNFgVkthHTvM4iz/s496/20231027_060503_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="496" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvEkTKWpxNpYdLVR8J4dUPM-oUePy7Nj0VZ_tjhoQCBzXQJy1chiybrgrSYZJq2IFsJG8sq_E6VDRppLOF-9fAHbP3zLNGcqFUhidIcoEtvTH7L3EzR2EH5WsomQPs6Ij7rsVMArqVZkWyztZZaMCsf9NlmqvCynvhx1KSWTTWlMmHbNFgVkthHTvM4iz/s320/20231027_060503_1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-78576441169735834612023-08-22T01:08:00.004+08:002023-08-23T19:38:09.594+08:0022nd August 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">could watch you read the news</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Every day for the rest of my life,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Observing the movement of your lips </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As you spoke in sync </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With the movement of your eyes</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And I would not be bothered </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If the outside world was burning</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And mountain slopes were crumbling</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While people dazed and stumbling</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Were wailing with their voices</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Reaching to the skies</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For I would feel so blessed</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">To be watching you</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In paradise.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-19084086887688095302023-08-14T08:58:00.006+08:002023-08-22T01:18:33.309+08:0014th August 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Tea. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Piping hot.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cooled by blowing gently before each sip.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />No other way to drink it.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Just made myself a cuppa with boiling water fresh off the stove.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">A piping hot cuppa tea and the morning newspaper.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">No other way to start the day.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whoops!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cats' water bowl waiting to be refilled?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whoops!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cats' groundsheets waiting to be changed?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whoops!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cats' rice waiting to be cooked?<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Tell you what.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">To hell with everything.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Too many times, too many times.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lukewarm tea after getting everything else outta the way?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Again?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the millionth time?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not this time.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">To hell with everything.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">This time it's me first, everything else afterwards.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">OKAY?!?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now where's that piping hot cuppa tea?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">What?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Got distracted again?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Damn!!!</span></span></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-33948408546769732312023-04-22T20:55:00.003+08:002023-04-24T17:56:43.073+08:0022nd April 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A wise man once said,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are the product of our environment,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And so it was,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As here you lie at Death's doorstep</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And here I am, <br />Writing about it.<br /><br />You did not choose to be born</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Only to die forty-two days later,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yet here you were,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fulfilling your destiny</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Just as I was fulfilling mine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As a writer</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Born with the inherent gift of writing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And shaped by the nature of my environment</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">According to whether a sandstorm was blowing in my face</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On the parched and arid sands of the Rajasthani desert</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Or whether it was pouring cats and dogs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the tropical and dense concrete jungles of Malaysia.<br /><br />Rest easy, <br />Little One,<br />For soon your earthly troubles will be over.<br /><br /></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C4v-dh62HqwTA0gfciyXk3czkBx84h1euO8vu5Wnw6y6RxiRN2s4vvyyqCTp1C3uYsLWYtlKy61ptNdVzJKwmpfa-89naRMRgD4lCCqXe-TmmR_fx3gWdsb8b4D7-iLBeswvEvPdKDZsm4G4dj4FUZ9d5xEef2LnhuwbGFB24UHymj5Ebm_OwxDEOQ/s2048/342378426_622603536450335_6123777011830468260_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C4v-dh62HqwTA0gfciyXk3czkBx84h1euO8vu5Wnw6y6RxiRN2s4vvyyqCTp1C3uYsLWYtlKy61ptNdVzJKwmpfa-89naRMRgD4lCCqXe-TmmR_fx3gWdsb8b4D7-iLBeswvEvPdKDZsm4G4dj4FUZ9d5xEef2LnhuwbGFB24UHymj5Ebm_OwxDEOQ/s320/342378426_622603536450335_6123777011830468260_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLv5pZjfglLCy--vKzH6Z4dWjo3mdeStaTeXPTYMMA3nkovdbyoYUDd8UVEpS9j0xp2LVMKxgT7LHpPUz2-IIrP0yKsr6RAEL5F5uAcFT6Ht2Fpfj1nJ2jjto9WsUk1wsCRWpzMvUs2ZERZNnTSn1sk4oF41eIF5lHqg-RJ-_6nTMhI84h-GLHlA8ntQ/s960/342706952_984542829383726_8848738491991594723_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLv5pZjfglLCy--vKzH6Z4dWjo3mdeStaTeXPTYMMA3nkovdbyoYUDd8UVEpS9j0xp2LVMKxgT7LHpPUz2-IIrP0yKsr6RAEL5F5uAcFT6Ht2Fpfj1nJ2jjto9WsUk1wsCRWpzMvUs2ZERZNnTSn1sk4oF41eIF5lHqg-RJ-_6nTMhI84h-GLHlA8ntQ/s320/342706952_984542829383726_8848738491991594723_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMGP5EuQtyxy0Gm3eaNWO5lyu41xxypv1l3iDOnriIF9pjMC1MRVMNFdtpi-9LiQEox6pfQQw0Gc4yWcXs2PGbtuvmeNFqTa6I44_4s0TqFxTL8pRfT-ZXFjZ4fCgerVTdmWEimFyhUX3272cjChb7qm8qu5SfkuNSEWW1cvPzlBy-RA1zje2zrgBxg/s2048/341885346_1627482884329653_9194875035376362091_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMGP5EuQtyxy0Gm3eaNWO5lyu41xxypv1l3iDOnriIF9pjMC1MRVMNFdtpi-9LiQEox6pfQQw0Gc4yWcXs2PGbtuvmeNFqTa6I44_4s0TqFxTL8pRfT-ZXFjZ4fCgerVTdmWEimFyhUX3272cjChb7qm8qu5SfkuNSEWW1cvPzlBy-RA1zje2zrgBxg/s320/341885346_1627482884329653_9194875035376362091_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-60010419518496145662022-10-31T16:52:00.001+08:002023-10-27T22:23:42.833+08:0031st October 2022<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, goody, here comes the rain;<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The neighbors can't complain<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the smell of cat piss<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Permeating the air.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, goody, here comes the rain;<br />The neighbors can't complain<br />About the smell of cat poop<br />Trapped inside the hair<br />You'll find inside the nose<br />Of the one complaining.<br />(Relax, folks, it is raining.)<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />A floor littered with cats<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Waiting to be fed<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fish and chicken rice,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Boiled but very nice,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tasteless if you ask me,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">But that's what soy sauce is for,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">So pass the soy sauce, honey,<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Think I'll have some more.</span></span></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-20605509746078163902022-10-05T08:36:00.004+08:002022-10-05T08:42:31.119+08:005th October 2022<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The smell of exhaust fumes fills the morning air</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Which a short while back smelt of last</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">night's</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">drizzle</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Which cleansed the air of the day's smog and dust</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Whilst the world was asleep,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nauseously intoxicating, the smell of exhaust fumes,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Whose composition of burnt and unburnt fossil fuels</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Entered the bloodstream of every living creature in sight</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That breathed in the exhaust fumes-filled morning air.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Excuse me while I cough up a little blood,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">No, nothing to be concerned about, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not yet at least.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-30066710319502424062022-04-28T12:28:00.015+08:002022-04-30T00:55:16.663+08:0028th April 2022<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not even a single drop</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of the milk of human kindness</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Flowed from thy dried-up breasts, </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">O Singapore, </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Nor was even a single ounce of compassion to be found</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">In the hollow chambers of thy shrivelled-up heart</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">For you condemned a man to death </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">For 42.7 grams, or three tablespoons, of a prohibited substance</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">That, unlike the damage, say, </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">42.7 kilograms of a similar substance </div><div style="text-align: center;">Was potentially capable of, </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">42.7 grams, or three tablespoons, of it will in no way </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">i) bring down the government,</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">ii) plunge the entire country into a recession,</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">iii) incite a rebellion of the masses,</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">iv) etc.,</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">And hung him by the neck from a hook</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Until he was dead</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">And his lifeless body twitched no more,</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">A man you could have pardoned</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">By presidential decree or otherwise,</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">A man who could have lived a long and fruitful life</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">As a redeemed and contributing member of society</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">A man who could have potentially sired</div><div style="text-align: center;">A future Nobel Physics Prize recipient</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Or a future prime minister of the country of his or her birth,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">A
man whose mother came begging on her knees <br />
For her son's life<br />
But whose futile pleas fell on deaf ears,<br />
Ears deafened no doubt by years and years<br />
Of dealing with distressed and frantic family members<br />
Pleading for the lives of their loved ones<br />
On Death Row</span></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">A man you sent to the gallows </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not for having killed scores of innocent bystanders</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">By means of a strategically-placed car bomb</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Or for having raped and killed dozens of children</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Or for having murdered both an unfaithful partner and her lover</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">And afterwards disposed of their dismembered body parts</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">In a tub of highly corrosive acid</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">But for 42.7 grams, or three tablespoons, of a prohibited substance </div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">With a street value of less than a thousand bucks</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">But worthy of death nonetheless</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">In accordance with your draconian laws</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">And compassionless hearts.</div></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Will you be pardoned for your sins</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When the books are opened on Judgement Day</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">And your name is called,</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">O Singapore?</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think not,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thou heartless murderer,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think not.<br /><br /><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Did you not know,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Thou self-righteous fool,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">That all judgement passed down on Judgement Day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Will be based on laws written on stone tablets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">By the hand of God on Mount Sinai,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Something, except for Judaism,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">None of the other great religions of the world<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Can boast of, incidentally,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">However great the number of their devotees<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">
</span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Or powerful their armies might be, </span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">In terms of a holy book having being written,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">
</span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Even if only in part, by the hand of God,<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">One of which says, 'Thou shall not kill,' period,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Not, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">'Thou shall not kill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Except <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">In cases deemed worthy of the death penalty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">In accordance with the laws of Singapore,'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">And did you not know,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Thou self-righteous fool,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">That when the books are opened on Judgement Day, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Singapore or Somalia,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Everyone will be judged equally without bias or prejudice<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">According to the contents of his or her own personal file?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">So, I ask you again, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Will you be pardoned for your sins<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">When the books are opened on Judgement Day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">And your name is called.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">O Singapore?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">I think not,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Thou self-righteous fool of a heartless murderer,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">I think not.<br />
<br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /></span></div>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-54937138848011714282022-03-14T21:54:00.000+08:002022-03-14T21:54:57.986+08:0014th March 2022<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">What have you done, Ruskovich, my son?</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why have you banded together with Belaruskovich, my other son,</div><div style="text-align: center;">To bring death and destruction upon your own brother, Ukranovich,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Upon his children, his wives, his livestock, his farms, </div><div style="text-align: center;">His grazing fields, his share of the inheritance?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Were you so jealous of him that you coveted his children, </div><div style="text-align: center;">His wives, his livestock, his farms, his grazing fields, <br />His share of the inheritance </div><div style="text-align: center;">Apart from having your own children, your own wives, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Your own livestock, your own farms, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Your own grazing fields, your own share of the inheritance?<br /><br />You have inherited this murderous gene from your ancestors,<br />Your forefather, Cain,<br />Who killed in cold blood his own brother, Abel,<br />Out of sheer jealousy, <br />When he saw the offerings his brother brought from his flock<br />Were more favored in the eyes of God</div><div style="text-align: center;">Than the offerings he brought from his fields.<br /><br />Should he not have pondered on how he might find favor </div><div style="text-align: center;">In the eyes of God</div><div style="text-align: center;">By following his brother's example<br />With burnt offerings of choice cuts of meat dripping with fat<br />And whose aroma was pleasing to the Lord<br />Instead of killing him in cold blood<br />And denying his murderous deed afterwards?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You are making your ancestors proud, Ruskovich, my son,<br />By following in their murderous footsteps.<br /><br />Here, Ruskovich, my son, here is a length of rope.<br />Hopefully, it will be long enough for you<br />To hang yourself with it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-58127272588702923622022-03-10T13:23:00.002+08:002022-03-10T22:57:39.751+08:0010th March 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So blessed was my Malaysia<br />From shore to sandy shore,<br />Serene and postcard perfect,<br />Untouched by Putin's war.<br /><br />May curses by the truckload<br />For every Slavic dead<br />By Putin's bloodied hand<br />Fall onto Putin's head.<br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/supamFHi5gA" width="320" youtube-src-id="supamFHi5gA"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-82402785510476878732022-01-31T02:10:00.011+08:002022-02-01T13:01:55.195+08:0030th January 2022<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mrs. Selvaraj (not her real name), </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My Indian neighbor a stone's throw away,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Was like a mother to me, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Always concerned about my ever-increasing household cat population</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Which by the way was welcomed in a household </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where Death w</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">as not only not a stranger </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">But also only eight months ago</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Claimed the lives of six babies, <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two children and four grandchildren,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Six-to-seven-month-old teenagers,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the space of one week,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Resulting in their adoptive momma cat,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A senior momma cat without babies of its own,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Suffering a stroke on the third day of searching for them in vain</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And eventually dying within a month</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From a broken heart</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mostly</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As did I</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In a less fatal manner</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Perhaps as she knew I was temporarily out of a job by choice, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And hence was concerned from the financial point of view</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">More than anything else,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Just as she was very concerned, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And always took an interest,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In pointing out to me,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The cat poop spots I sometimes accidentally overlooked</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">By the side of the road,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And always opposite her house,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Every time I went around this part of the neighborhood,<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Cat poop scoop equipment in hand,<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In search of cat poop to scoop up from wherever it might be</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">found,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Usually on a sandy spot in front of someone's house</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or along the side of the road,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or someone's cement-work-in-progress sand pile nearby,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">If one was available,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">As was the case at present.<br /><br /><br />Poor Mrs. Selvaraj (not her real name),</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Indian neighbor a stone's throw away, </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">For she would surely suffer a heart attack,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">If she knew, </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Apart from my existing household cat population boom,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">The earlier-batch babies of two momma cats,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two children and three grandchildren,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who should be in their teens by now</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">And missing the whole day today too,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Were probably out there somewhere looking for mates,<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">The boys looking for girls, the girls looking for boys,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">To mate with,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or, in other words,<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And on a lighter note,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Babies making babies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-85861968346347751492021-01-21T03:15:00.005+08:002021-02-11T23:45:49.632+08:0020th January 2021 (EST)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Be comforted, O World, be comforted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And know thou wilt sleep peacefully tonight</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As thou wilt for the next four years</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As global peace and stability hast been reborn</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On this historic day,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A day marking the inauguration of the next president of the United States</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And a sensible one at that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And the departure of the outgoing president</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And a delusional, self-righteous and psychotic loose cannon at that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On account of whom global peace and stability</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Was at risk of being vaporized in a flash of blinding light and smoke</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Every single day these four tumultuous years past,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I kid you not.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-62029736506882659822020-10-14T21:01:00.000+08:002020-10-14T21:01:06.044+08:0014th October 2020<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Y</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">ou asked me if you looked pretty,<br />This was yesterday;<br />I said, "Yes,"<br />Bewildered by the question.<br /><br />Today I asked if it was the headscarf<br />I was supposed to have noticed yesterday,<br />Still bewildered by it.<br /><br />You laughed and said,"What, still obsessed by it<br />For the last forty-eight hours?"<br />Although in not so many words.<br /><br />Therefore, I have sworn, with upheld hand,<br />That for the next forty-eight years, not hours,<br />You will not see my face again,<br />At least not a face that looks at you<br />As it once did in better times.<br /><br />I will take no interest in whether you live or die,<br />Marry or have children,<br />Grow old and ugly or whatever,<br />For the next forty-eight years.<br /><br />Only then will you know who I am;<br />Only then will you know when I love someone,<br />I do so with all my heart,<br />And when I hate someone,<br />I do so wholeheartedly as well.<br /><br />Away from me, you whose venom<br />Was like that of a poisonous snake;<br />Never again will you stab my heart<br />With that needle-sharp tongue of yours<br />For the next forty-eight years,<br />So help me God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-57330957082458319062020-07-15T21:48:00.005+08:002023-10-27T22:32:10.339+08:0015th July 2020<br />
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Like a
bereaved mother</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Coping
with the loss</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of all ten
of her grandchildren</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In a
tragic boating accident,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Or some
such calamity,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So was I.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Your
babies,<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Eve</span>,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And yours
too, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mama Cat</span>, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And yours
too, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Skinny One</span>,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Alas,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was
only yesterday, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It seems,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This
household was filled</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With the
happy sound</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of their
tiny, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Or
not-so-tiny,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Feet</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Whichever
the case might've been,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This now
silent and empty household, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Silent and
empty </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Except for
four indifferent cats </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And one
lifeless hooman.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-39745480951748761272019-10-27T00:38:00.001+08:002019-12-03T20:25:52.580+08:0027th October 2019<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Banshees shrieking through the night</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Amidst the sound of gunfire and deafening explosions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Heralding the arrival of yet another festive occasion of the respective sort</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the middle of the night</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here in fireworks-crazy-firecrackers-loving Malaysia. </span></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-69151380674804922802019-07-06T00:46:00.000+08:002019-07-06T21:38:58.484+08:005th July 2019<br />
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have a
problem with God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">My cat knew not how to lie,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cheat,
backstab, slander, steal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Or plot
the downfall of a rival</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">By means
of treachery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Or even
murder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yet it was punished yesterday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">With death
by agonizing miscarriage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">For its
sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">(No one
dies innocently, not even infants,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">As who
knows what atrocities</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Infants
are capable of in adulthood,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Or perhaps it's to spare them from evil that may befall them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">At some point in their lives,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">In both cases as foreseen by God.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, the question is, 'What sins?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Killed too
many sparrows and/or house lizards?'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">It was a cat. That what cats do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">That's
what cats were created to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">'Mated
with multiple partners?'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">It was a cat. That's what cats do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">That's
what cats were created to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">So why did
God look the other way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When it
was struggling in agony</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">For the
last thirty minutes of its life?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why did God</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">include such a horrible
ending</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">In his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">Holy Scrip</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">t </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">Concerning
All Life On Earth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the
case of one insignificant drop-in-the-ocean cat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who would
eventually be named </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">Good-Looking Carlos</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why?
Because he is God and that's what God does?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is
written,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When we
call,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He will
not answer,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When we
plead,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He will
look away</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For we
have forsaken him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Therefore, when he calls,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will not
answer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When he
pleads,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will
look away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">For he has
forsaken me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When he
killed off my cat,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes,
killed it off,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">For no
good reason.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes,
indeed, I have a problem with God.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[God's
imagined reply:]</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In what
manner would you rather have.it die,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">O Foolish One,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">If indeed
its time to die was at hand?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Killed by a car that ran over it and spilled it guts out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Right in
front of your own doorstep</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">(As was
the layout in residential enclaves such as yours)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Or ripped
apart by a roaming pack of stray dogs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">(Which you
yourself have not only encountered in the past,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mostly
late at night,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">But also
chased away, quarterstaff in hand)?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[Me:]</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are
we mortals if not lower than the dirt beneath thy feet.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">O Lord, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For I spoke out of grief from a grieving heart,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Blinded by
tears and clouded by sorrow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">You always do what is best for us,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cat, dog
or human</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">And hence
I shall hold my tongue in silence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lest my
foolishness be my downfall.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[God's
imagined reply:]</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So as it
is said, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So shall
it be done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">....................................................................................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzuEqjM4azo/XR-AaNUjYnI/AAAAAAAADBU/UN1sWIDn8lkUb0WdMX6V_z0tQ4AVw8MdACLcBGAs/s1600/29%2BJune%2B2019%2B166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzuEqjM4azo/XR-AaNUjYnI/AAAAAAAADBU/UN1sWIDn8lkUb0WdMX6V_z0tQ4AVw8MdACLcBGAs/s400/29%2BJune%2B2019%2B166.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good-Looking Carlos</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">14th Sept. 2018 - 4th July 2019</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-81953449830162053422019-07-01T22:52:00.000+08:002019-10-27T00:39:44.399+08:001st July 2019<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All the tears I've cried</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For all the ones who died</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Means none have I left for you,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My poor sick <i>Ginger Boy</i>, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Whose end was very near</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">By tomorrow night I fear, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My poor sick <i>Ginger Boy</i>,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My poor sick <i>Ginger Boy</i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTqQtQsYux8/XRodxHm78tI/AAAAAAAADAQ/s2c2CoW3DBMC8dlG3W0nVPHVzSR5YuXdwCLcBGAs/s1600/1%2BJuly%2B2019%2B017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cTqQtQsYux8/XRodxHm78tI/AAAAAAAADAQ/s2c2CoW3DBMC8dlG3W0nVPHVzSR5YuXdwCLcBGAs/s400/1%2BJuly%2B2019%2B017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-77546730086660164732019-02-04T22:59:00.000+08:002019-02-04T23:01:00.540+08:0015th November 2018<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wrestled
with the devil from morning until night</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(He
slipped in through a back door and put up quite a fight)</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And though
he seemed the victor by early morning's light</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
suddenly retreated and fled like one in fright. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
medico might call it the onset of the flu</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(The
word that crossed my mind was v-o-o-d-o-o,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not
African but Asian j-o-o-j-o-o</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or
juju more correctly but that I'm sure you knew.)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-28799642599334429122018-12-16T10:53:00.000+08:002019-02-04T23:01:43.653+08:0011th April 2018<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gloat,
mine enemies, gloat,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For I have
been brought low,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rendered
weak and defenseless,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not by
your own righteousness</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But by the
fruit of my own hands,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But just
as the sun rises again</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After
darkness has fallen,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So too shall I
soar like the eagle</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And run
fleet-footed like the gazelle</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I once
did in the old days</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the
gods looked down on me</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And were
pleased </span></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">With what
their hands had made.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-76258816567310468112018-03-21T18:27:00.000+08:002018-03-22T12:15:03.436+08:0021st March 2018
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Praised be
the gods in the heavens above,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For my
beloved, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Doomed to
die from birth complications</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As feared
and believed for many a day now,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is at last
freed of her prematurely-born babies and lives</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Without
the interfering hand of human intervention,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I might
add.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Praised be
the gods in the heavens above, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For
another beloved of mine,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Doomed to
die from a prolonged illness-induced loss of appetite</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As feared
and believed for many a day not too long ago,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not only
recovered but thrives today</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Without
the interfering hand of human intervention,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I might
add.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Perhaps
the gods too had cats of their own,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Seeing the
way they heard my prayers concerning mine.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-84194430857091037552017-11-18T22:07:00.000+08:002018-03-21T18:52:06.732+08:0018th November 2017
<br />
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look, what
they've done with their concrete and steel:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A seawall
that's endless where sea meets shore</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In place
of the sand beneath sole and heel; </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
beaches of Butterworth are no more.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look, what
they've done with their concrete and steel:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A seawall
so ugly the eyes are sore</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As fat
were the wallets that closed the deal;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
beaches of Butterworth are no more.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look, what
they've done with their concrete and steel:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A seawall
and not the beaches of yore</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Along
which we ran barefooted with zeal;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
beaches of Butterworth are no more.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-61687097053274596922017-04-29T16:27:00.000+08:002017-05-14T13:01:27.413+08:0029th April 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzK4g4oOflKzS5Tcq907Wyg2EM4IX7SiSBsH2DRDD7V5HXk27k2CVn8G5EHW3J-gifClU1LVRkDcUn3K1kofw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I found you in the back lane behind two Sundays ago,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dumped, I'm guessing, because you were a girl </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Which, unless you were in the cat breeding business,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Was bad news to a cat owner in this part of the world</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just as being born a girl was bad news in India</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although for different reasons, dowry-related, mostly.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No matter. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You were about, what, three months old?</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The moment I saw you, I said to myself, this one I'm keeping for
myself.<br />
Why?</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because every cat born in this household for the last ten, nay, twenty
years</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Either died of something, went missing or, in the case of the boys,
left home</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And you represented a new hope, a fresh start,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To rebuilding the cat family I once had</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And lived for, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mostly.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Eve</i>, </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's what your name shall be,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For just as the biblical Eve was the mother of all of mankind,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So too shall you be the mother of the new generation of cats born into
this family,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the grace of Almighty God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On second thoughts, make that <i>Hurricane Eve</i>, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In accordance with the way you enjoyed dashing about the place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With the strength and energy of a little hurricane.</span></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1586438781932854524.post-91208975849866018542017-04-10T17:14:00.000+08:002017-05-18T03:12:34.286+08:0010th April 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft7tjttYFa4/WOtMbwWWRGI/AAAAAAAACCA/xcC3F28qmnQrcCghZJyIIyfuEeNTpLkMACLcB/s1600/Anna%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft7tjttYFa4/WOtMbwWWRGI/AAAAAAAACCA/xcC3F28qmnQrcCghZJyIIyfuEeNTpLkMACLcB/s320/Anna%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Italian Eyes</i>,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In which
all of the world's beauty</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And all of
its pain</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Is
contained,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Its beauty
as reflected in the perfectly sculpted contours of your face,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Its pain
as concealed within,<br />Piercing me with such intensity<br />That I am mesmerized and troubled and bewildered and wonderstruck,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All at the same time,<br />Such is your power, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Such is your magic, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Such is your magnificence,<br /><i>Italian Eyes</i>.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[photograph used with permission graciously granted by Anna Clara Passarelli]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> [copyright owner and photograph model]</span></div>
Leo Carloshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030887222703508435noreply@blogger.com