Archives for December 2023

26/12/23 1 min read (published in The Power of Poetry)

Author in Boston, December 2023

One morning in beautiful Boston,

I left the hotel to meet up with my friend who had gone shopping

She did not wait for me as I was napping

The biting blustering wind scoured my face as soon as I stepped out onto the pathway.

I was poor with directions and feared that the GPS would mislead me

I walked briskly on the verge of running, keeping my fingers crossed

It’s not so much the cold but the fear that the person behind me might pounce on me

Few times I threw side glances to size up the figure behind me.

I could run, I could kick, I could scream

Noticing people coming in the opposing direction comforted me

Everyone seemed to pace along, nonchalantly

Being well covered up by his neck buff added to the mystery and my tension

600 m later, the destination loomed up before me

The figure behind me had passed ahead

I was relieved

All in my mind

I have a fertile imagination and innate fear

Anyway, I am glad to overcome my doubts by setting out

What’s worse

To be held captive in my own mind each time I am challenged

Or face the uncertainty, realise the truth and fortify my mind

Many times it’s the tricks of my thoughts

I had chosen not to submit to fear

16th Dec 2023. 1 min read

Author at Climb Central, Singapore

My palms develop calluses as I grip the handholds

My feet ache as I pushed against the footholds

My arms are pumped up as blood is diverted to them

I feel the power of gravity as it hauls me back to earth

And I am tempted to let go

It’s the next level of difficulty

My mind says breathe

My heart says be still

My eyes say look for a better grip

My arms and legs say rest on the wall

My soul says be positive and move along

Rock climbing develops your grit, your persistence and your intellect

There is always a way to finally reach the top

Some can do it because they have unravelled these traits

They are strength, stamina, strategy, stability, stillness, silence, style and sentiment

I will get there, at the top of this level, one day.

These are the qualities that will get me whatever I want in life