the emperor's lament

Each step trudging, he is bent over.
Eyes fixed below, the precious treasure borne two-handed,
Awaiting future's birth.

But here in the wild and lonely cold,
Where new life depends on efforts beyond his own,
On fates conspiring to reward diligence with despair,
To what hope bears he this breaking labour?
Faithfully bearing faith's burden,
A foolish hope - utter hopelessness?

'Be shielded, dear one,
You are yet a seed,
Sown in truth, truth sown over.
But 'twil not always be so.
To instinct we'll remember,
Your grit a testament to hope,
Till truth bears fruit,
And life cracks forth.
Behold, the dawn awakens.'

Inspired by The March
For the beloved of HCC

sč
Singapore, July 16th, 2008

blessing (blunt, not blind)

Bless me, O Lord,
For You are good and I must desire it,
So I am taught.

But between the teaching and the grasping,
I am learning,
As contrary is Your tendency,
These blessings are not to vanity's sake.

And so,
Bless me with what needs me,
Though I want it not.
Bless me with a constant lack,
That sees You complete what I cannot.
Bless me with a hunger that grows,
The more and more it's filled.

Not blessings blind to acquiesce,
Be not a sightless Santa stumbling through the dark.
When difficult words are needed,
When 'til best losing than gaining,
When blunt is true
And sugary sweet rots away,
Bless me, O Lord,
Bless us all.

For TC

sč
Singapore, July 1st, 2008