He said I had idle hands
Much too bad I believed him
Years of sowing garden seeds
Bounty for bees and monarchs
I dreamt to let flow nectar
Liquid boon in bottled jars
Artisan blown, I bloomed out
Ceilings high to make mosaic
Shades of ruby and lapis
Like the beadwork of mothers
Embroidered their daughters down
Hearts dyed with Batik stories
Skills to quilt little spirits
And baskets to hold the soul
A steady warp and weft
Weaving a whole together
I must never forget it
I will never forget it
Beating my hair-torn head
Amphora woman mourning
I wish it would come softly
I wait for it to come softly
A celebration of kites
Havoc against the blue sky
Where words dance calligraphic
This incandescent world looms
My body glows a lantern
We all follow the lights home
In time, answers unravel
With distance, his values fade
Dress me in garlands bright
Shield me from envious hate
Guardians of the unsung
Show me the dotted mapping
This journey of accolades
My web interconnected
🎨/📷 by Chuah Thean Teng, Perairan Pulau Pinang, 1952