Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves dancing,

Float softly on the quickening breeze,

Tiny ribbons of scarlet and gold drift slowly down,

Rustling plaintive song of farewell.

As the stubborn limbs of the trees,

Reach for the last precious moments of warmth,

From summers fading light,

Cool tendrils and woodsmoke and mist enfold the woods…

In autumn heart we rest.

red

In Japan, each of the 4 seasons is distinct from one another. From the fresh green buds of spring that gives way to the lush heat of the summer. And in autumn, the forest turns red and yellow. Soon the white snow will blanket these vibrant colours as if preserving the forest for the seasons to come. Continue reading “Autumn Leaves”

Value of Love

Generations unfold, father to son, mother to daughter. Where one leaves off, the other follows, destined to repeat each other mistakes, each others triumphs. But, how do we see the world if not through their lens? The same fears, the same desires. Do we see them as an example to follow or as a warning of what to avoid? Choosing to live as they have simply because it is all what we know or driven to create our own identity?And what happens if we find them to be a disappointment? Can we replace them? Our beloved mothers and fathers. Will destiny drive us to find our way back? Back to familiar comforts of home?

family

I sat there, for how long it doesn’t seem to matter. There I was, staring at the blank pages before me. An old laptop where I usually find to be more than a companion. Wondering how to speak these unspoken words, how to express these unwritten thoughts? Continue reading “Value of Love”

More than Words

ShinNihonkai Ferry

The sound of waves crashing, and thunders roaring in the distance startled me. As the cruise ship splits through the edges of the sea, it swayed violently to the rhythm of the waves. The restless sea, under the dark stormy clouds reflects the sad heart. A heart filled with uncertainties of the future and plagued with memories of the past. As I lay in the dark bunk listening to the songs on the iPod, the mind wandered somewhere else. Somewhere far away, swarming into the chartered past, reliving each memories shared. As the words in the songs played as a distant background, the images from the past were shown through vivid movies. Memories flashed before me. Years of memories zoomed within seconds. Continue reading “More than Words”

Sakura’s Beauty

sakura-2

A bright gaze, as blank and menacing as the Sun but yet gracefully shone right across the dark, damp earth. Forcefully it shrinks the whitish snow only to reveal the green flowers that lay patiently beneath. The blue sky, accompanied by scattered white clouds paints the perfect picture. The mild wind brushes along the skin and kisses the leaves to grow. The air is fragrant filled with the smell of beautiful young flowers growing. Spring is in the air! Winters difficulties are quickly forgotten by the renewed hope that spring can offer. Spring brings new hope and also brings warmer weather, beautiful flowers, leaves on the trees, fresh air and the sounds of children playing outside. March brings April flowers. Continue reading “Sakura’s Beauty”

Dreams of Inspiration

The world went dark for a while as a partial solar eclipse occurred on the Lunar New Year. The sun shone through again but for many of us the dark gloom is here to stay. Continuous fighting and internal tussles mark a dark truthful blot in our lives. Many people questions are there no more love in the world we live today? Are there no such things as pure goodness? We are pressed from all corners of life. Is there truly a way out?
Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse

Inspiration is all I seek. Continue reading “Dreams of Inspiration”

Look Into My Eyes

look_into_my_eyes1

From the watering eyes of Palestinians…

Look into my eyes, tell me what you see?

You don’t see a thing, coz u can’t relate to me!

You’re blinded by our differences, my life makes no sense to you…

You worry about your education and the bills you have to pay,

I worry about my vulnerable life,

If I survive another day…?

In many parts of the world, the New Year is anticipated with much joy and hopefulness. It usually symbolizes on a new beginning. A new beginning for a better year to come. More often than not, we pray and hope deep inside for a better life. Old and young would gather in their masses to celebrate and would party up until the dawn of day. A new leaf is turned, with each secretly hoping that this would be a good year for them. Continue reading “Look Into My Eyes”

Champions League 2008 in Japan!

In the silence of the night, it swirled and twirled. Gently emerging from the darkness of the sky, falling gracefully until it landed safely on the ground. Sometimes, its destinations rerouted with the flow of the wind. And finally it lay motionless on the dried leaves. An array of colored scenery dominated by the brown leaves and green hills quickly repainted into snow white. Everywhere it was coated by the same white color. If you’re lucky enough, you could see in the distance it sparkled reflecting from the light of the full moon. It was truly a moment for the cameras. Time seems to stand still as if preserving those precious moments for me.

View from my room
View from my room

Then as quickly as it had mesmerized me, suddenly it turned into a feeling of anxiety. My mind wandered far into the endless dark night. My stare pierced through the coldness of the night, penetrating deep beneath the layers of snow that was newly formed. Continue reading “Champions League 2008 in Japan!”

Japanese Martial Arts

The eyes creaked open a little. It was dazzled by the sudden surge of bright gold. A drowsy arm reached for the watch beside the bed. A stream of pain emerges on top of the head all of a sudden. The drowsy arm quickly searches for the source of it. It rubbed the head to soothe and make the pain go away. I blinked and realized that the gaudy glare was from the light that I had not switched off the night before. I tried to remember what was causing this pain…

Then it filled my memory. It was all coming back.

I was really excited that morning. I woke a little bit late and got dressed as fast as I could. My heart was pounding and my mind racing as to today’s plan. I ran all the way to the bus to find that the lecturer is already waiting by the bus. Still puffing I quickly got on it. I knew that I was in for a new experience.

k12

Continue reading “Japanese Martial Arts”

Seeker of the Soul

In every journey, the traveler must ask was the right path taken. Was the right turn made. Many roads are long and winding. Some are rough and bumpy filled with obstacles. Yet it is filled with those who have lost their way. Some forge their own course guided by faith, seeking not location but a kindred soul. Others step together finding safety in the arms of another. A few remove themselves from the trail to avoid the path of temptation. But those who watch the track too closely fail to see where it led them. They’re often all too surprised by their destination. So great is the journey for the soul. A seeker’s path to reach the Heavens.

O mankind! What is it that lures you away from your bountiful Sustainer, who has created you, and formed you in accordance with what you art meant to be and shaped your nature in just proportions, having put you together in whatever form He willed?

-The Quran (82:6-8)

So many questions asked. Yet with so many signs already shown, we fail to neither read nor understand it. As its mountains pierce through the clouds, high above the lives of men. And its rivers run and split through the earth, right through men. So does the moon illuminate the night and the sun shine through the day. And its stars like priceless jewels from the far reaches of Kings, guiding us through the nights. Signs of the Creator are all around us. Why do we keep asking for God yet we can’t seem to see the Creator’s signs?

With it so many hearts have closed to the wonders of these signs. Like a bird trapped in a cage, asleep with closed wings. Like pearls hidden deep beneath the black water. Continue reading “Seeker of the Soul”

Who are We?

If we come to sleep,

We are His drowsy ones,

And if we come to wake,

We are in His hands,

If we come to weeping,

We are His cloud full of raindrops,

And if we come to laughing,

We are His lightning in that moment,

If we come to anger and battle,

It is the reflection of His wrath,

And if we come to peace and pardon,

It is the reflection of His love,

Who are we to Him?

So small compared to Him….

-yeh-