Another local poem for the literature student.

Trees Are Only Temporary
by Leong Liew Geok

The one and a half day weekend
Past, I can no longer place the familiar
Albizia*; vanished without smoke, kaput.
Just like that, with half of Saturday,
All of Sunday, from my office window.

Monday says trees are only temporary.
Take that saga down the slope:
Three trunks shot from one spot.
No bleeding, no scars to mention;
Woodshavings mark a triple execution.

If trees could yell in decibels,
Drwon the drone of saws
In final screeching falls,
We might be less careless
To cut and carry so efficiently.

There is no place for shooting splendours
In teh fever of estates and shopping centres;
Cut to pieces, where have all the rugged gone?
Boles which leave no bloody stump,
But baldness flush to the ground?

Do not weep - crying's not in.
Do not sigh - time goes wasting by.
Screaming is unproductive,
For instant trees come
Quick from any nursery.

Trees are only temporary
In a flourishing garden city.

*Albizia is a genus of about 150 species of mostly fast-growing subtropical and tropical trees and shrubs.'


From Love is Not Enough (1991).

Labels: Literature

An otherwise carefree student at MGS, who is currently studying in secondary 4, and totally not proud to be a MUGGER! :O


I sincerely apologise for the subjects which I do not include (: The list may be found just below. Thanks!

gooodluck!