Wayward

In my hands, I hold thee
of earthly matter and muddy.
Thy life emanates to be free
from the bound that wraps thy body.

For what thy desire to seek
the source to live, the key.
And so when anchored deep
begins a slow journey.

Thy growth towards the light
the roots upon the water.
The leaves to take the food
the stem strength to cater.

Reaching high yet wayward
the branches intertwined.
For what's left and unattended
becomes problem indigned.



A child that was brought
seemed purposely created.
To great extent taught
with guidance, love, appreciated.

But the little child without a rule
no light to seek and follow.
Faced a life of ridicule
all paths, twisted and narrow.

To let it be, to let it go
to ignore, to give up, surrender.
Is to reap what you sow
creates a life that's endanger.

For regrets are made at the very end
when a soul wanders, defenseless.
Nip the bud around the bend
realize, wake thy senses.

I Will Be Back

Alvin is a four year child staying in an orphanage and being given a good education by the Sisters of Charity. Melvin and Meljun are twins by birth and share the same background as that of Alvin. The three of them became my playmates when I visited them during the break. As I turned to leave, Alvin came and asked me when I will be back. I looked at him and smiled despite the tears that was running down my cheeks. I told him that I won't be back soon as I live far away but promised that I will, if I could. I gave him a hug and bade farewell.

My life had been constant going in and out of every tricky situations and bad habits. I had been trying to make new of what to pursue. I try to do more of what I believe is best. I try hard to leave what is of the past. There is no going back for things we try to forget. There is no going back for things we do not want to encounter once again. There is no going back to something I am trying to escape.

Yet if I look at what is to happen, time will come that I will be back. I will back longing for the ties I cut off. I will back for the past to make memories of today. I will be back to make amends of what I had neglected to do and what I had forgotten to believe. 

Knowing that the children from the orphanage had become insensitive to the numerous "I will be back." they hear every time they had visitors, yet the smiles and the questionings had been genuine. For they truly believe that separation is inevitable but they still look for that glimmer of hope to meet again. 

Basket-full

We bring to ourselves fruits of labour. When one has the positive attitude towards looking at a new day, then one had been living a great life. When one frowns at the sight of light, then the struggle to wake up and start the day would indeed be difficult. 

My morning would always start with a bright and cheery attitude. I know that a night's restful sleep will bring me a fresh start to set goals and achieve them by the end of the day. This is probably the reason why I have a set pattern of sleep and wake-up routines. Breaking them would be a crime against my outlook for the next day and a punishment to my body.

I am always greeted by a friend who picks me up everyday from home. His mental attitude is quite catching as he is always in a good mood. I know his everyday struggles but he still managed to bring forth a delightful attitude towards life. He always has a smile for everything.

Life's manageable in its own so a healthy attitude is what we need. We need to set a goal or goals so that each new leaf makes a purpose. Going to work for the simple reason of being busy is not a good reason. Going to work with a set target could inspire us to see beauty. Our work is dictated by objectives, compensated by money and showered with comments or praise. Yet being productive and efficient coupled with the right attitude and respect brings a fruit-full of experience and growth. Besides, every morning is the same, it's how you look at it that shapes your day.  

In Love With Poi

No, I am not in love with a person. I am in love with life and what life had given me. All these years, my students had given me so many things besides their caring attitude and inner love. They are my support system and my strength. All these years, they had also given me material things of which I am so thankful of.

Just last Christmas, I received many gifts from many people. I got a wonderful Santa sculpture, a piggy bank with my favorite book illustrated on it, a sapphire ring, a sports watch, cards, tasty sweets, and many other things. One of them is a teddy bear that brought the child in me. I looked at it and realized that this is the first ever bear I received. I gave it a hug and named it Poi (named after the giver).

There are some things in life that will bring back good and bad memories. There are some that will take us to a land of imagined places and unravel the childlike in us. There are things that support our needs and adds up our wants. Those presents in one way or the other, will remind us of the person, an event in life, or a feeling we wanted to keep.

I keep them because I wanted to relive the memories, short they maybe. I use the material things given to me and feels that a part of that person is within my reach. I keep the presents on display because the friendships they hold are for me to cherish. Some may have left, abandoned the chain, or had simply forgotten but when they come back, it's a new story to weave. I am not chained by material things, I see life because of their memories.

A Little Prayer

Dear Lord,

Make me strong as I walk through the road of emptiness. Care for me in a way you care for others. The path I am leading could be trodden one yet your hand to touch will help me in my journey.

Make me wise as I make choices, to seek, to end, and to continue. Grant me the wisdom you shared to others. There are bumps ahead yet your guidance will bring me glory in the end.

Make me a loving person through this world of hatred and pretensions. Shower in me the love you give to others. The way of the world fills me yet your spirit of patience and unconditionally will make me a better son.

Make me courageous to face the coming battles. Shield me from the arrows of despairs and bullets of struggles. The infinite fights amongst the people are overpowering yet your armour of justice and bravery will protect me from enemies abound.

I am but one yet I remain humble. I am nothing compared to Your glory. I believe in You and in the thought that You will always be with me along the way.

In prayers,

Jonathan

Indulgence, Passion and A New Lease of Life

I received a phone call from a friend and I was being invited to be part of a charity event. I agreed because it was an invitation from a friend. Little did I know that this is going to be the best part of my life as a teacher, as an artist, and as a person.

The first person who welcomed me upon arrival at the hall was my former principal. She was the most influential in my life as a person and as a teacher because she gave me the opportunity to excel in my chosen endeavour. She was instrumental in my growth and will never be forgotten.

The tour gave me an opportunity to meet four of Thailand's finest artists: Pinaree Sanpitak, Chatchai Puipia, Misiem Yipintsoi, and Jakkai Siributr. Their works spoke visibly, intellectually and emotionally to the senses of the visitors. Coming from different backgrounds and beliefs, the artists rendered their creative juices through canvasses, sculptures, textiles, potteries, and other mediums. Their talents showcased not only the creative geniuses in them but also the dedication, love, sentiments, political views, and spirituality. Devoid of any superficial agendas, the artworks depicted were shining examples of their thoughts, feelings, interests and viewpoints in life.

The concept and the context juxtaposed to create individuality's and uniqueness to all the art pieces. Each piece talked about a certain time in the artists' lives and set up a landmark that brought a new dimension to art history in Thailand.

Within the tour, I met and was indeed excited to see familiar faces throughout my day's journey to four of the artists' havens. People who had been part of my journey as a teacher ad people who had played a crucial role to what I am right now. These were the people who never wavered in their belief in my capacity and role as a teacher. These were my family, the friends I left for greener pastures. They are still my family and I feel overwhelmed by their generosity, acceptance and spirits.

Thus the day was a day of indulgence, a day exploding with creative ideas, a day of art and friendships. Thus the day was a day of passion, not of the artists alone but of mine in terms of my love and adherence to things artsy and also to the lost embers of connection. Thus the day is a new lease of life, a sort of reckoning of what I had lost and wanted to recall. I wanted a new me. I wanted what Jonathan is all about and the time to start is just right.