on this day

fairy tales have sad endings too.

photo by Nikita Tikhomirov at Unsplash


on this day


on this day
we would be drinking
of course
her cocktails
my cheap beer
maybe even pub crawl
throw some darts
bath in bright sexy neon
sing the birthday song again
and later
grab a burger
at MacDonald's
light our cigarettes
blowing smoke rings
into the frosty night
then to a 7-11
for more beer
my hands on her
slim waist
whispering into her ears
and she would giggle
her girlish giggle
the street lights
shine a little brighter
and we would wish
the night would not end.

but city tales
have a way
of turning nasty
and so
her birthdays ended
too soon.


undated probably early 2000's
revised 06/07/2021
***************

Rosemary at Poets & Storytellers United would like us to write about "darkness and light". Perhaps this piece can qualify?

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Versailles - DESTINY -THE LOVERS-

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021

today

Has it been that long already?

photo by dsnake1




today


I am sure my mind
is going like a fog
but there are things
that i will not forget

      like your wry smile
      persimmons, fat and red
      noodles on birthdays
      and the night you left

and if i should meet you
i may not know what to say
for it has been so many years
you may find me a stranger today.




27/11/2022
**********



Shared on Friday Writings #55: Bleeding Hearts at Poets and Storytellers United.

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Tokyo Square - Within You'll Remain

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2022

a good day but still cranky

“I grabbed a pile of dust, and holding it up, foolishly asked for as many birthdays as the grains of dust, I forgot to ask that they be years of youth.”

― Ovid, Metamorphoses

photo by dsnake1


a good day but still cranky


trust that the sun will rise
that time is on my mind
how do you define a second then
when it is gone faster than my heartbeat?

trust that my head will clear
rages must wait another day
i am trying to type poems on the keyboard
and the bowl of noodles awaits.


27/11/2021
**********

photo by dsnake1


I had a good birthday recently. The kid brought me out for food, even bought me a toy. I reminded myself to be kind that day, be patient, do not pick fights with people. I even managed to write some poetry. This poem.

Shared at Friday Writings #6

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Heavy Metal Kids - It's The Same

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021

50

is it that long already?

photo by Karen Zhao at Unsplash


50


you could be with me today
but i am all by myself
in the train
watching little squares of glass
coloured paint
of apartment blocks
tessellated
rushing by
and the evening sky
threatening to weep.

we could be in a restaurant today
maybe not a fancy one
but nevertheless one
we wanted to try
because i can afford it now
and a couple of
working class beers of course.

but now i am all by
myself
in the train
with anonymous faces
with the sad masses
going home
their rush hour hands
pushing at my shoulders.

and coming out of the tunnels
i wanted to call your name
but the words
the words
they never come
because

the evening sky
had started to turn grey
and
about to weep.


written 21/09/2010
revised 21/09/2018
****************

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Pink Floyd - Time

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021

21, redux

21. Why 21? Because I spent my 21 up on a dark, rain-soaked hill. No cake, no candles, but still lots of fireworks. Though it was not war, just an exercise, still it was tough luck spending your day like that.

This is a major revision of an earlier poem.

photo by pixzito at pixabay


21, redux


Orion was looking down at us
crouching on this dark hill
as a rain soaked wind
brushed leaves and weeds
we, troopers watched in awe
red tracers probing targets
as the tank guns opened up
flinched & jerked in a frenzied dance
in the brief light of muzzle flashes
pouring 75mm shells into the butte
to explode in showers of mud,
a frosted plate of dark sky
now palely illuminated
as white flares arced
in graceful parabolas
the trees and ridges
frozen in hues of black and green
we clutched our weapons,
the metal of the M16
cold on tired skin
we checked our gear again
magazines knife bullets
a wait for orders
no prep talk
no hands on heart
just an exhale of relief
the crunch of boots on wet gravel
as we trudged down the hill
our shadows gliding on trees
spooked by illum rounds.


✿
27th November 1989
revised 15/02/2006
revised 02/07/2019
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U2 - New Year's Day

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2020

Joy

Today is my daughter's birthday. She is one of the best things that came to us. Wish you all the best, girl. Though we disagree in many ways, we do share the same values in certain things. :)






birthday card by YunPing




JOY



Just as I thought,
Out of the pan into the fire,
You came into our lives.


27/05/2013
**********

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The image is a scan of a birthday card my daughter made for my birthday. Confused? :)

Shared on Poetry Pantry #151 at Poets United.

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2013

birthday

Today is just another day, but I told myself I gonna goof off and do nothing. Okay, maybe just open a couple of beers.


image by dsnake1



birthday



again

i look up
from my cup
of noodles,
different time
same space.
outside the house
the city
is awakening
the sun
long-throwing
its beams
through
dusty panes,
light scattering
on the few
extra lines
on my face,
as blackbirds
flutter
their wings
in the dawn.
be thankful
then
that it will
be just
another

day.


27/11/08
********

The picture is a scan of a key chain my daughter gave to me many years ago on my birthday. :)

© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 )

birthday

If we could turn back the clock...


image enhanced by dsnake1
from a photo from visipix.com


birthday



on this day
we would be drinking,
of course.
your cocktails,
my beer.

maybe even pub crawl
if we are
feeling rich.

then again
perhaps just a burger
at mcdonald's

and we would
light our cigarettes
blowing smoke rings
in the night

my hands on
your slim waist
and you would giggle
your girlish giggle
knowing
what i want.

on this day
we would...


21/09/07
********

mood of the day

another year

image by dsnake1


the march of time. the ticking of the clock & all that jazz and old cliches.
so i am a year older today.
blase, nonchalant.
until my kid gives me this mp3 player.
out of her own savings.
happy birthday, she says.
you know how to play this thing?

you bet i do, love.
and yeah, it makes all the tough times worthwhile.