One Million Stars to End Violence

“When you wish upon a Star,
Makes no difference who you are…”
-Jiminy Cricket, Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio”

 

Stars Fled From Your Eyes

 

stars fled from your eyes
and the shadow of death
cast upon your face
on this dark gloomy night
filled with goodbyes
and unending sighs
of a once promising life

stars fled from your eyes
and you stop dreaming
of what could have been’s
and what if’s
a future you may never see
for it has become so bleak
and gloomy

stars fled from your eyes
and it may never come back
unless you take the courage
to speak up
seek for help
and maybe, just maybe
start anew

stars fled from your  eyes, no, not yet

 

We have been fascinated by the stars- those shiny bright, little five-pointed dots in the sky that has been illuminating, even before humans exist.  It  presents us with beautiful symbolism over the years even when there was not enough scientific studies made to prove its origin. The Star is said to be one of the most beautiful and enchanting of all Symbols. For many it symbolizes aspiration, inspiration,
imagination, wonder, dreams, pursuits,
creative brilliance, divine intervention and even magic.

Imagine, what happens if one loses all of these?

Violence of any form massacres these little red dots illuminating the very core of every human being reflected upon in their eyes. And that is why they say, the eyes are the windows to our soul.
Look around you, see if the star is still shining brightly in the eyes of your beloved daughter, sister, friend, neighbor or even the one who sits across your table in a cafeteria.

Let’s  take a moment in our day to observe whose star is slowly dying, you might save a life, save a dream, save a hope, or even save magic.

Written for “One Million Stars to End Violence” project of PERAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY

Dedicated to all women and children who are victims of Violence.

Perak Women for Women Society (PWW) is a registered, apolitical, non profitable and non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded in 2003 to enhance the status and lives of women in Perak irrespective of their race, religion and social background.
They recently launched its “One Million Stars to End Violence” project. It is a global weaving that has inspired individuals, groups and communities to weave stars to inspire light, hope and peace in the world. Ms Maryann Talia Pau, the founder of One Million Stars to End Violence Project has urged the global community to continue her good work in encouraging everyone to end violence.
Let us help PWWS bring back the star in the eyes of every women and every children whose lives have been destroyed and altered by violence.

Please send your stars to them at PWW:
The PWW Centre
15 Market Street
30000 Ipoh
Tel : 05-2469715

Below is the link to learn how to make the stars :
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjyDqztzaQ

For more information, email at perakwomenforwomen@gmail.com

I am also calling out to all WP bloggers around Malaysia to help me share this cause to your followers and encourage them to participate.

Help save a life; weave a star!!!

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Concubine Lane-Ipoh

 

Splendid, beautiful and warm
That’s what you are, full of charm

But history was unkind
To the truth, some were blind

Your story was interestingly told
By many as they stroll, young and old

Tell tales has it, you were gifted
By a wealthy man indeed

Some whispered you were the haven
Of love untold and forbidden

You’re a silent witness
Of the truth there is that says

“I am but a memory
Of glorious past of history”.

Inspired by my recent visit to The Concubine Lane, in Old Town Ipoh, Perak.

The Concubine Lane has history that goes all the way back to 1892 when parts of Old Town Ipoh were rebuilt after a fire. The Concubine Lanes were part of the rebuilt which was owned by a mining tycoon who have said to give these lanes to his three wives. Thus the locals call it, the wife’s lane, concubine lane and the second concubine lane. Another version of the story is said to be that these are the lanes to which the rich men hid their second wives.

Regardless of the validity of the story, the Concubine Lane is a beautiful reminder that no matter what happens, we continue to persevere and live the life we love. We will be UPROOTED sometimes, we will be CHALLENGED, and we will be BROKEN; know that these are nothing but part of a greater plan, for us to become the better if not the best version of ourselves.

After the fire that hit the Old Town Ipoh in 1892, its people have been resilient and dedicated in their pursuit of bringing back the glory that the the place used to have.

Today, Old Town Ipoh, stands majestically as one of the places to visit in Ipoh. The crumbled walls and broken architecture are reminders of its past: the once broken, the once burned down, the once forgotten has risen again.

The Concubine Lane is one of the distinct and remarkable areas in Old Town Ipoh, which at the same has a story many wil not be happy about. Having said that, Concubine Lane has inspired people to learn to understand the diverse culture of Malaysia through its vibrant colors, its cafes, its novelty shops and its walls. Most importantly it teaches us a very important lesson in life; a lesson that says,  no matter what people think or say about you, you stand by your beliefs, your values and your idealism. You rise up above criticisms and continue to inspire others to be good. Every wall and every corner of Concubine Lane is a manefistation that one can learn to better themselves amidst all the crisis and tribulations.

The Concubine Lane is a testament of love. And as we walk along its corners, know that it will be a silent witness to a love’s sweet whispers, a child’s biggest dream, a mother’s plea, a husband’s triumph and of dreams do come true.

Posted for calmkate’s Friday-fun- Uprooted https://aroused.blog/2019/07/06/friday-fun-uprooted/

Respect

When all else fail
and respect is gone
listen to your own heartbeat
and you will hear
the sound of your own voice
screaming silently with courtesy
and consideration

Respect comes in different forms and appears in various LAYERS it could be a show of  esteem or honor for someone or something. An example of respect is being quiet in a church or truly listening to someone speak. Walking around, rather than through, in a  protected wilderness is also an example of respect.

The children’s book I read from the National Library of Singapore which has inspired me to write is poem

This part really touches my heart.

Written for calmkate’s yFriday fun challenge – layers https://aroused.blog/2019/06/29/friday-fun-layers/

For Once – Ghazal

No one doubted your love, not once
you will never escape from our memory, not once.

 

You are assertive and unyielded a freind who patiently listens and never walk away, not once.

 

You are refined and polished one, our source of encouragement, man of honor and gratitude, all at once.

 
You’re always willing to say “sorry” and “forgive” me a nurturing man and a loving partner all at once.

 

You are our wall of trust and security and we knew you will never betray us, not even once.

 

Spending time with you is fun, you share tricks and shortcuts and makes academics enjoyable, for once.

 

Affection could be your surname
you hug, you kiss like a mother does, all for once.

 

You are a pillar of strength, support and discipline your work is endless oftentimes thankless, but i will thank you Dad, i knew at once.

My first attempt at Ghazal poetry form was inspired by a recent visit to the Singapore National Museum. My hero has always been my father. Apart from reading and writing we share the same passion for Arts and Culture and he would have been so delighted to to see these exhibits. According to Gay Reiser Cannon at d’Verse, who introduced the components of the ghazal for their challenge, the ghazal’s narrator “is always a hero longing for the unattainable”.

Join in the  fun at d’Verse https://dversepoets.com/2019/05/23/poetry-form-ghazal/

Barong Tagalog

I heard the news of you leaving as someone from the other line was sobbing, crying, weeping. “He’s gone”, was all i can hear. I wept, i cried ’till i can’t cry anymore.

It was a warm summer morning.

You left without saying goodbye. Without notice. It broke my heart in pieces, i could die.

I told myself i’ll never go far away from you again, but what’s the point anyway?

I was wounded, helpless, and even when far away an interrupted cry could be heard as i lament in desperation.

Distance is killing me.

The sun was shining but the rain came pouring when i flew back home to bid my goodbye.

You were smiling. You felt rested. And you look handsome as ever. I smiled back looking at you as i said “your barong tagalog looks perfect on you”. I blew you a kiss like i used to.

I was ushered away, away from your side.

 

 

Note:  The Barong Tagalog, more commonly known as simply barong (and occasionally called baro), is an embroidered formal shirt and considered the national dress of the Philippines.
In Filipino culture it is a common formal attire,
Written for dVerse, https://dversepoets.com/2019/06/10/prosery-1/, Write a story using maximum 144 words that has to include the following line: “When far away an interrupted cry” taken from the poem acquainted with the night by Robert Frost.

 

She is a Woman

She is a Woman

 

In her silence there lies conviction and in her troubles there emerge a voice

In her will brings forth compassion and in her indictment there lies a protest for choice

And as calm as the sea on a midsummer day, know that big waves are coming in June

 

 

Written for kate’s Friday fun-waves https://aroused.blog/2019/06/08/friday-fun-waves/

Motherhood

“Each second makes its mark on every single person’s life- comes and then goes, quietly disappearing without fanfare, evaporating into air like steam from a piping hot christmas pudding. Enough time leaves us warm; when our time is gone, it leaves us cold. It is time of which we do not have enough; it is time that causes the war within our hearts, and so we must spend it wisely.” (The Gift, Cecilian Ahern)

 

Defending the poor and unfortunate

caring with a heart so compassionate

ah! a lawyer that’s what i will be

back then as a little girl with glee.

 

Broadcasting news on TV

doing it with mind so steady

Ah! a television anchor i see

back in high school so carefree.

 

 

Pouring thoughts on paper

scribbling late at night so dear

ah! a journalist i will

back in college with free will.

 

 

Never become a lawyer really

it wasn’t my dream actually

’twas a childish thing to wish

no dirt to dish.

Broadcasting wasn’t even for me

‘though i had the chance to be

you see a surgery on the neck

making it hard to speak.

 

 

Writer i may have always been

creating stories every now and then

putting actions into words

screaming as i scribble with thoughts.

 

 

You see there’s something i miss

never imagined i enjoyed it with bliss

caring for little souls as they grow

motherhood is what makes me glow.