Loss & Found – haiku

Loss and found. That’s life.
Like it or not. Come and go.
High and low. Enjoy.

May all beings be happy….

Hungry Caterpillar

Caterpillar feet
March on a twig. Oops! They flip.
Scary acrobat!
It looks up to the blue skies,
Prepares to cocoon itself.

Butterfly is never really born. It is a natural breakthrough after the hungry caterpillar is willing to go fasting and liquidize itself in seclusion. When it is time, a butterfly comes into being.

You might be not a colourful pretty butterfly but cocooning should have taught you that your present being is the output of a long resting period after such a long euphoric period of being a hungry caterpillar. The euphoric being is gone, replaced by a winged soft being flying and dancing celebrating the moving air around its body.

Your wings might be just pitch black but they are the result of how sincere you are in a transformative sleep hanging in a weak twig, without knowing if you’ll be slapped down when the twig is broken, without knowing that you’ll be aborted because of the wet, without knowing that the end is the end or a transition point. You just don’t know but you accept your not knowing.

You might not be as pretty as the most beautiful butterfly out there but…. You’ve gone through the same quality of cycle – not less not more. Thanks to fair Mother Nature.

To be “born” winged, fly, help the flowers pollinate before fruition and magically create graceful move with super powerful effect….

Don’t be upset for being a flipping hungry caterpillar’ coz when you’re transformed, your flapping wings can blow a typhoon!

May all caterpillars be happy…..

Rike Jo

Signs – ranting

When sign means nothing,

She’s maybe illiterate

Or dead desperate.



I had a conversation with a good friend, the topic was “sign”. This particular friend cannot read most of non verbal signs and hints from her spouse clearly. What her spouse shows non verbally won’t trigger any curiosity from her; except when he expresses it verbally then she will understand. Facial gestures, body language, more seriously mental vibration won’t do her any ring anymore.


I thought it was strange as a couple should be able “to read” each other’s feeling or idea with a blink of an eye! At least that’s my ideal couple goal.


Then after a while I can relate to what has happened to me.


I’ve been living away from family for more than 25 years; the 7 of which I’ve lived totally home alone (cats and other pets not counted). And that 7-year period is when I think I’ve lost the ability to read what my family is trying to communicate to me. We either don’t understand “the language” or we just can’t accept “the reasoning”. When it comes to language, I feel that our ability to read kinds of personal or cultural gestures have diminished either with my ignorance to their loving and caring behaviour or with their insensitivity to my practicality and logical thinking. We just don’t know how to match things in many occasions and usually we’ll just tolerate each other by saying “no worry, as long as you are happy and healthy”.


When I asked what happened to my friend and her spouse, she said “I just don’t know what language I should use to communicate with him”. Hmm exactly what I experience with my mother and siblings.


“Why don’t you try guessing whatever you see from him? Just to show that you care?”


“I’ve tried but it looks unnatural. He asked me why I did weird questioning and guessing.”


“It is ok, unnatural at the beginning but will be natural when you find the click”.


“We won’t find a click anymore. We are not happy and not meant to be.”


Eh?


At that point I couldn’t say anything. I think she is not illiterate, she’s seriously desperate.


Gosh! Life is a mystery! We, her close circle have always thought they’re the happiest and I’m the lonely. Now I think it is time to be thankful just for a minute to be happier even than the happiest.


May all beings be happy…..

Sunset – haiku

She loves each sunset.
It throws her things to ponder,
About life knots.

Temasek – Aug. 30, 2020 / 23:54

Many people choose to live in houses facing the east where the Sun greets them in their mornings. The iconic sunrise is not only the representation of natural beauty but also the indication of value in dollars of the residence.

All my windows face west though, with no special consideration except that I pay cheaper rent for this small apartment. My friends said I should have chosen the other one with some dollars more to see the sunrise. I thought I made wrong choice but soon found that sunset isn’t less beautiful than the sunrise.

Sunset gives me warmth of the day. It waves me a hope to see the next day. It’s red, orange, yellow behind the spectrum of light to dark blue and oftentimes grey to pitch black has become my dear friend when I’m home.

I’ve been not only living but also working from home since March and seeing many sunsets with different combinations of colours and weathers.

In fine days sky gives me clearer definition of what sunset is like. Round burning circle slowly and quietly drowns into darkness, leaving the land a peaceful place and letting electricity take the turn.

In cloudy days I’ll ask the sky where he hides the giant fire ball. He says the ball is still burning behind him, moving to the same direction in the same orbit with relatively the same speed, just that it is knowing that certain days don’t need its presence for some reasons. Sun still sets but my eyes don’t witness it.

Sunset has taught me that life goes on whether we see it or not, hear it or not, discuss it or not, taste it or not, smell it or not: sense it or not. Sunset has taught me that the attention is human beings’ button of “what exists”. With or without that button, everything exists yet human beings think some don’t exists just because their button is off.

Sunset is truly a gift for me from the Universe. It is a present when I miss my beloved people, a lesson when I’m aware of who I am or I am not, a teaching when I’m enlightened, a button when I’m observant or ignorant and many other subjects depending on what state of emotions I’m in.

Sunset is a call to realise that nothing lasts forever and at the same time thing can be an eternal memory of yours as long as you wish it is.

Alamak…. I become so sentimental because of sunset….

Thanks much, Sunset for accompanying me for some minutes in my long-hour day. I know you travel to the west, please carry my hope to my love and send it back to me the next day through the sunrise in front of my east front door.

May all beings be happy….

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Mirror – haiku

If she’s not ready
To see herself. Stop giving
A mirror. Give gin!

—-

Sometimes you lose your confidence to tell your friend what you truly know about what happens to one; not because you are afraid of losing a friendship, but just because you know that one will lose one’s confidence by seeing one’s own true face.

Ya, sometimes you will sacrifice your position – before someone you keep doing yourself a stupid idiot (please excuse my language to myself) who will only act as a yes-friend to make someone get more and more drunk with fake realities.

A good friend, are you?

May all beings be happy….

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Milk and Honey – smiling

Ants under a book
Crawl about into a nook,
Escape from a look.

I’d been struggling with happy ants on my desk. A group of ants were nesting under a book and even after some effort they were stubbornly staying under that particular book.

I didn’t get it but now I do.

I lifted the book and moved it to another place and magically no ants came back. I put another book to where the “problematic spot” is in. No ant came back! Until now….

When I checked the book that attracted the happy ants, I found the title is “Milk and Honey”.

May all beings be happy 😜

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Busy vs Lazy – haiku

Not so much differs
Too much work or too much time.
Busy or lazy?

Singapore – July 31, 2020 / 08:45

—-

A pile of work can show whether you have a lot of work waiting or you have wasted time that so much work is left not done.

May all beings be happy.

 

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There’s Always A Light – ranting

There’s always a light
In the dark. Open your eyes
While you’ve got your time.

Singapore – throwback flood in my apartment last week

My apartment was flooded because of a bursting pipe joint in the kitchen. I was so panicky with the joint pipe bang sounding like an explosion, when I ran to the kitchen the pipe strongly sprayed water – hot water! Bloody hell! It was the hottest shower I’ve ever had in my life.

I could not find the valve to stop the water flow. Water had reached the living room and kitchen balcony. I threw all pillow from the sofa and all big towels in the drawer to the kitchen door to hold the water. I didn’t know what to do! I said to myself: My neighbour!

I felt desperate as I didn’t know anyone in the 15th floor. They never open their doors. But I was so lucky that #2 door was open and I saw a man, a woman and a small girl.

Long story short the husband ran in to my home, while I ran downstairs to the facility office to get help to close the external valve for my apartment water supply. It took 20 minutes to stop the hot water flood. Hot water!!!

When the facility lady reached my apartment (with me) my neighbour was wet like hell in my kitchen holding the piping joint. He looked so desperate but tried to behave fine and calm.

I felt so guilty especially when he helped me put a complaint on the valve thing. The wife kindly told me that they will help me follow up if anything the same happens again. What a kind couple! Thank you!

The apartment management took the blame and sent a handy man on the same day. And the next week my regular handyman came to check the whole piping to find and fix the error.

It was one bad day in my July but also the best – in the hot water flood I finally got to know my neighbour, a Malaysian young couple with one baby daughter. They said they love traveling to Indonesia and I said I go to Malaysia every month in normal situation. We agreed to check each other once in a while as good neighbours; I now knew that they also have missed to “have neighbours” like their original culture in Malaysia. Ya, it is slightly difficult to know our neighbours in this type structure of living spaces. The next door neighbour of mine only opened their door and stared at us with empty eyes seeing me panicky running to the lift to go to facility office; he didn’t even ask “What happened? What can I help?” Oh my goodness! How I miss a friendly neighbourhood. I’m sure I’ll have it, I’ll have it!

May all beings be happy.

No picture, no video was taken due to panic Attack. 😶

AirPods – tanka

I hope you’re AirPods,
Listening to my love songs
From far far away….
But you’re not AirPods. Your heart
Is frozen by arrogance.

Singapore – July 23, 2020 / 23:22

—-

When human technology is lame and degrading, they don’t believe anymore with the unseen signs that they can only feel through taste granted to Self…. Many human only believe in the limited five senses that won’t work just because of a wall standing tall. You know now, dear Love…. that you’re not better than my AirPods. I’m crying because of that fact but I don’t care anymore as long as my AirPods can help me listen to my own Love songs from my machine that stands tall in my living room while I’m cooking in the kitchen….

Thanks my AirPods and those who have worked together to deliver them to my silent heart….

May all beings be happy.

 

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Blind Love – haiku

Dear Beloved, I’m
Imprisoned in blind Love
Who taught me colors.

Singapore – July 23, 2020 / 22:54

 

May all beings be happy.

 

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I’m Less Than A Dust – haiku

I’m less than a dust
But bigger than galaxy.
Would you please accept?

Some people just wanna stay at one point, forever good, forever winning. Two chances: impossible and improbable combined in a giant jar of lottery

Can you just accept that some people can’t accept your being a dust? Others can’t accept your being galaxy and the other small portion can accept you swinging between these two realities. Take the last group to be your true friends coz they will know when to speak bitter truth to see who you are and when to just throw you sugar-coated appraisals to cajole you in challenging situation.

Be dust and be galaxy
Never forget that you are dust in the galaxy at times,
And galaxy full of dust at others….

May all beings be happy.

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Against Gravity

As if I’m not there.
Floating— I’m a drone over
You, who never cares.

Singapore – July 14, 2020 / 20:24

—-

Expectation is like gravity to a plane that is taking off leaving the runway. Fly away to the destination! Expectation will only overkill your dream especially if the one that you want is not the one that can appreciate sincerity.

May all beings be happy.

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I Prefer Bokeh – haiku

I prefer bokeh.
My eyes stare, brain relaxes.
Focused on nothing.

I just wanna sleep, blurring my memories in the slumberland and dream sweet about you…. Have a good vibe, Universe!

May all beings be happy.

Beauty Is Nature – tanka

Beauty is Nature
Married to Culture. Others?
All failed engagement—
Yet you’ll find culture too shy
And wrapped in modernity.

Singapore – Jul. 3, 2020 / 0:48

I miss going someplace, any place where land is covered with nature mixed with friendly people….

May all beings be happy.

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Slowing Down Footsteps – ranting

Slowing down footsteps
Pace along an ancient route.
Trace back your soul path.

Now here

Thought sometimes gets puzzled why thing happens to the Self, while logically she has made best possible efforts to control it not to emerge into events. At times emotions pour like heavy rain or they numb all nerves.

Then the Self realises that all is about tracing back the soul path: paying one’s karma, optimising one’s dharma.

Dear, Self.
You’d better pass major lessons in the current life. You shouldn’t want to fail the same lessons: acting lame or repeatedly meeting lame spirits wrapped in different physical planes, or both at the same time.

Dear, Beloved.
If it is not done,
Don’t let me slip from Your hands.

May all beings be happy….

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You’re Different, My Love – haiku

You’re different, my Love.
Don’t turn your full life to none.
Keep your head. Alone….

Singapore – Jun. 26, 2020 / 22:31

I won’t let you change your life just to be with me. Fly, dear Self.
As you wish
‘Coz you’re the master of your own Life.

May all beings be happy.

https://youtu.be/OmaVwd90cx0

Stumbled On Music – haiku

Stumbled on music,
Ears hum into melody.
Life is always good.

Singapore – Jun. 24, 2020 / 21:11

Life is always good with music.

May all beings be happy.

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Eyes Are Partying – haiku

Eyes are partying.
Sleepless night is back online.
Is lockdown over?

Singapore – Jun. 24, 2020 / 12:45am


My desk misses me so much!
Pardon, your bed misses you so much?
No. It’s the bike misses me so much!
Oh? You mean the couch misses you so much?

May all beings be happy.

Picture borrowed from Shusama Patel Thank you….

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When The Rain Hugs Her – haiku

When the Rain hugs her,
Sun is weaving Light spectrum.
Does she see the arch?

Singapore – June 22, 2020 / 23:32

—-

I love the rain as it warms my heart and waters my hopes.

May all beings be happy.

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Morning Greets Sweetly – haiku

Morning greets sweetly
Eyes that open lazily.
Love is truly blind.

Singapore – June 19, 2020 / 21:40

Only human beings own the ability to manipulatively respond to anything, while other beings will always respond honestly as they are. Morning will always present bright colours either with the shining sun, cooling rain, wrapping cloud, awaiting meeting, and other possible hustle-bustle of the job; yet people will not always smile in the morning. There are those choosing to start the day with heavy burden and drudging steps.

If you wanna see what true love is, find the love shown by the nature and learn through it.

May all beings be happy.

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Can Wind Vanish, Love – haiku

Can Wind vanish, Love?
Look how pressurised we’ve been!
Just give me soft Breeze.

Singapore – Jun. 18, 2020 / 21:30

—-

Sometimes you wonder why the wind blows all the hopes. Sometimes you want strong wind to dry your sweat. Sometimes you are longing for soft, nice breeze to accompany you in a solo journey. Nothing is permanent….

May all beings be happy.

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Listen To The Masks – haiku

Listen to the masks
Hanging ear to ear. Take one,
Let the party start.

Singapore – Jun. 17, 2020 / 19:45

—-
You need your masks, not to hide but to show the kindness of a human being even if you have to suffer in the dark.

May all beings be happy.

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Awake While Asleep – haiku

Awake while asleep:
Concocting cocktails of dreams,
Or mocktails of facts—

Singapore – Jun. 15, 2020 / 18:30

If you think your life is too crazy, drink some mocktail. If too plain, add a bit of cocktail. Don’t let any concoction make you either 100% asleep or fully awake.

You get that, dear Self?

May all beings be happy.

The Lost Paradise – tanka

The lost paradise
Found— By whom? Where? When? And how?
By you, here, now….. Halt!
Between two heart beats, you see
The realm of a peaceful mind.

Singapore – Jun. 10, 2020 / 21:45

 

Layers of Self – verses

There is time when Mr Grey is reluctant to evaluate others’
Actions,
Motions,
Emotions,
Notions—
For as much as the head’s dullness, true colours won’t lie
And untrue intentions will reveal.

In the mode of working class,
Putting layered of dignified masks in silence,
Enchanting intelligent chorus in public,
Smirking in the dark.
Beloved dedication
Decorated with
Stabbing behind—
….

Doesn’t it matter?
No—
Take a time
As long as Time wishes to be with you:
Hiding behind true Smile,
Singing in the Heart,
Reciting poems in the Soul.

Someday
When the floor invites you to dance,
Offering the best music of Life,
Then down to the floor!

Dance until the Light fades away
Which is never.

Now
Observe all the moves
Of the masks around you
Which will undo themselves

One by one.

May all beings be happy.

Singapore – Jun. 9, 2020 / 21:58

 

Who’s That YouTuber – haiku

Who’s that YouTuber
Breaking the bones to pieces
But reviving Self?

Singapore – Jun. 7, 2020 / 22:11


I never imagined before that I will have enough time re-watch Studio Ghibli’s then watch history-based Korean TV series —Hey! I don’t watch that Itaeawon Class type of thing— then take random choices in Netflix (If you know Dead Poets Society, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, The Little Rascals, The Hobbits, 47 Ronin or Assassin’s Creed then you know what random means to me) and…..

…. additional contents in YouTube other than those I’ve been following for years. Too much information: I’ve read less recently 😷

And here is what might have been one worst result of all the watching thing: I found Chloe Ting’s YouTube channel and decided to join the 30-day challenge to get flat belly. And I can’t just give up! I’d better make Super score for myself! Or else, I’m gonna hate gym forevah!

Thanks, Chloe Ting!

May all beings be happy.

🙏🏼

Some Dream Grow So Fast- haiku

Some dream grow so fast,
Move on a lane full of pain–
Like a lil bamboo?

Singapore – Jun. 6, 2020 / 11:19

 

It Says Thanks To You – haiku

It says thanks to you
For showing true and untrue
Through this emotion.

Singapore – Jun. 1, 2020 / 22:15


Realising that a gift is not merely about a special thing wrapped beautifully but more about the true among the untrue is a gift itself. No matter how it feels inside until now, I still thank you.

What a beautiful Life!

May all beings be happy….

 

Maru & Hana – my mood

Cats and river sound:
A bit of tranquility—
What a piece of peace!

Singapore – May 30, 2020 / 21:21

May all beings be happy….

Time’s Bringing Good Acts – haiku

Time’s bringing good acts.
Places add good vibes to it.
How I miss your peace.

Singapore – May 25, 2020 / 22:29

—-

I miss two places the most right now: Bali and Ayutthaya. Once this circuit breaker is exited, those two will be my destination.

May all beings be happy.

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