The smoke and dust clear

Yet, the sulphur still lingers

We cast out the demons

With brimstone and flames

Crackling loud into the night

As had the night’s belly pork

Gracing the dinner tables

Drums and cymbals beneath

All this fire, light and din, sing

And to make this festive occasion

Triply potent and self-sure

Into this blazing cauldron pour

Dancing lions of silken manes

And virile youths gesticulating

With martial fury’s bane

Garnished with screaming children

And admiring awe-struck crowds

Another new year’s banquet

Of overload and senses

Then, out came the brooms

In their hushed aftermath

Sweeping away last year’s crumbs

And half-eaten remains

Bar myself within my shadows

To bark and growl at for another year.

Cheung-Ling Wong

To fight − or fly and flee

Nowhere is there sanctuary

Oh, why can’t I just be

Than being nowhere and unseen!

Am I an enemy of your existence?

Somebody’s existential crisis

Yet, what about my own?

I’m here and present!

And I’m trying to hold on

Holding on tight to here and now

In essence and of presence

To fight − or fly and flee

Nowhere is there sanctuary

Oh, why can’t I just be!

Than being nowhere and unseen

Are they fearful of my shadow?

Well, surround me with your light and love

That I may never cast a conspiracy of shade

Quiz and grill me thorough and through

Why would I ever lie to them and you?

All I want is − to be, to be

To be genuine, to be true!

Cheung-Ling Wong