I’ve No Arguments With Crocodiles

I've had just enough time to...   not to argue with crocodiles

Taken from the safety of the shore in Sarawak of the crocodile infested river

Under the blue umbrella

She waits…

As gray water rushes by

She waits…

The water has crocodiles

“I’ve no argument with crocodiles”

Crocodiles don’t need arguments

They are even sorry for what they did

Crocodiles being what they are

Would happily consumed you for breakfast

Or any other meals after that

That is their nature, that is nothing strange

What is strange are the tears they shed

“The waters are wide, the crocodiles are few

If one does come across and after me

Maybe that is my fate?”

You could stand away from the water’s edge

“I could.

I know a boy from the village yonder

Full of life, spirit and wonder

On a clear cloudless day, he was struck by lighting

Burnt to a crisp and no one even heard the thunder

It was not raining, and he did not stand under a tree

And they said it is more difficult than winning a lottery.”

She said it all with a smile

And a resolve strong enough to poke a crocodile’s eye

I retreated and it was many steps later

Before the question surfaced from the muddy water

What are  the reasons she waits…

Can Planting Concrete Be More Fun?

I've had just enough time to...   see more concrete being planted.

Taken in Cilegon, Indonesia 2 hours from Jakarta 4 months later of the same place as picture below.

On 3 January 2012, I put up a post with the title “Planting Rice Is Never Fun” where I explored the theme of poverty and progress. Is progress a necessary evil? It is not an easy question and the answer depends very much on which side you are from and in. For those who love the beauty of the idyllic farm scene as much as me, we often see the ugly side of progress even as we admit to its necessity at times. But why can’t progress be prettier, to encompass instead of just destroying nature?

This was the image of the field in November 2011.

This is how it looked liked in March 2012.

It is easy to, but I have no right to question whether this is right or wrong for one with no stake in it. I can only lament that the beautiful field of swaying gold is no more. Replace by these piles of concrete jutting out from the barren ground. When the wind blows, I will no longer hear its whispers through the heavy leaden grains but the deep sighs as it swims round stiff concrete.

Jailed For Their Songs

I've had just enough time to...   sing my songs in jail

Taken of the jailed song birds while walking in the street of Surabaya, Indonesia.

They were jailed for their songs

Their sins were they sing too sweetly

Where is the crime in that?

You asked.

You asked the wrong question.

_______

By a lonely prison wall,

I heard a young man calling

Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free

Against the famine and the Crown,

I rebelled, they cut me down.

Now you must raise our child with dignity.

Low lie the fields of Athenry

Where once we watched the small free birds fly

Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing

It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

Dropkick Murphys - Fields of Athenry

The Turtle and the Stone.

I've had just enough time to...  hear the turtle's question.

Taken in Gunung Lang, Ipoh.

I carried the heaven on my back

And the earth under my belly

And made them my home.

I lived through the ages with balance,

In passive tolerance,

And harm no living creature.

But for all my wisdom,

I’ve an unanswered question,

The turtle asked the stone –

“Why, and What are you?”.