#instruthwritings

[instruth]

SUNRISE

sunrise over the water

for a glimpse of paradise

on the sky roof and over

the glitters kiss our eyes

oh, a touch of magic

a gentle brush of life

loss of mindful logic

for a release of strife

stress softens to butter

still water rows a boat

lightness to a flutter

sunrise as we float

©Johnny J P Lee

19 July 2021

Photo Credit Andrew Tan

(Marina Bay, Singapore)

[instruth]

Good morning

Way past the dawn

The morning has broken

Rejoice with songs of gladness

Everything has come alive - breath!

J. P. Lee

16 August 2021

Gogyoshi

Photos Credit J. P. Lee

[instruth]

DUSK FLAMING ARROW

Dusk flaming arrow

View from my window

I see a weeping willow

Wondering if she knows

My heart is full of sorrow

As the sunset sinks below

The horizon bleeds on yellow

The sky will sleep till tomorrow

Heavy in grief and sorrow

walking the streets of narrow

wrinkled faces ready to burrow

turning to yesterday for a borrow

waiting for a brand new tomorrow

tears wheeled away by the barrow

hear thee a whiff of poisoned arrows

Stiff hairs rising row by row

finders of bone to the marrow

by eerie sounds of cursed crows

grim faces all sliced to the furrow

plowing the wounds with a harrow

burying all the unhatched sparrows

fear sprouting upward from the snow

Red cheeks turn pale to sallow

surfing waves go high and low

sailing away from the gallows

forever to be cursed a yellow

in self pity to cry and wallow

heartbeats arise to a billow

voices down to the hollow

Instinct triggers the onset aglow

with heavy head resting on a pillow

sinking into the feathered bed below

in dreamland with all the good fellows

inbred by the doves and the swallows

till senses turn calm to a mellow

worthy to wear a crown of hallow

©Johnny J P Lee

06 May 2021

Photos Credit J. P. Lee

[instruth]

A SHINING STAR

do you see a shining star

in the eyes of someone

you are speaking to

stars among the flowers, in the waters

or only after a hard day’s work?

there are stars that enlighten you

stars that show you an honest way

stars of graciousness and kindness

you see them too among the heavens

do you have a star in your eye to show?

©Johnny J P Lee

17 July 2021

Gogyoshi-ren

Photo Credit Unsplash Images

[instruth]

THE MAYFLY

Insignificant tiny mayfly

Roaming free as you and I

Aquatic insect, ancient and shy

Cousin of the damsel and dragonfly

One year hibernating as a nymph

Doing nothing as it may seem

Flying freely as adults to mate

Lay eggs to die a cruel fate

Evolution’s a strange tradition

Adhere to natural selection

Increase and just multiply

By nature’s law comply

©Johnny J P Lee

15June 2021

Photos Credit John Lim

[instruth]

The Last Train To Tomorrow

I ride the last train to tomorrow

I have no better option for today

Only fear, defeat, and sorrow

I dig into the past, only in dismay

There’s no clear path to follow

Is there a better place I can stay

Do I have a future I can borrow

Full of hope, by a prosperous say

An impending dark night, deathly slow

With the threat of pierces and slays

Of demolition, by chews and swallow

When my past catches up in displays

Of lures and promises, deeds of shadows

No walking talks, only monuments of clay

I no longer qualify for the glory of a hallow

This train is my last ride, come what may

©Johnny J P Lee

08 August 2021

Photo Credit J P Lee

[instruth]

Peaceful in a Mellow

Peaceful in a mellow

I dream I’m the only fellow

The wonderful world of yellow

Amidst the cheering of trumpets

A jingling of little bells I can’t forget

©Johnny J P Lee

Gogyoshi

4 August 2021

Photos Credit J P Lee

[instruth]

BEGIN WHERE THE STORY ENDS

Begin where the story ends

Roll of film instantly rewinds

Read on, my dearest friends

Look! Pages flip from behind

Chant: 🎼Google and juggle

Malice by practice

No merit to inherit

Wizard of a lizard

Pundits of bandits 🎼

Chant! For a little leverage

Quick! Gulp a cold beverage

Scribble a tale and blink

What a jolly humorous jink

See! A calligraphic ink

In photographic pink

Sip an alcoholic drink

To find the missing link

Magic Water, help find my daughter

Dark night flows through the window

The wind blows, all turn white as snow

To arrive at the very front

Lean back, relax and watch a rerun

Repeat, go backwards from here

Line by line, a different tale you’ll hear

©Johnny J P Lee

16 July 2021

(Read forward & backward,

line by line, for good effect)

Photos Credit J. P. Lee