THINKING BIG IS UN-REGRETTABLE

IN MEMORY OF KENNEDY, 1990-2016

Thinking big is un-regrettable,
so let’s make our impact unforgettable.
As we pass through this world so briefly,
may we not fade away completely.
Though our time on earth is limited,
our imprints can forever be exhibited.
Flesh decays but names needn’t disappear,
in the minds of those who hold us dear.
By touching the lives of our contemporaries,
shall we survive in their memories.
To live on beyond the world we’re bound,
we must leave it better than we found.

K.G. says…

I wrote this as a tribute to a friend I met at university, who sadly passed away at a tender age. I call it a tribute but in reality he inspired the poem; not only because the title was his final WhatsApp status, but also with how he lived. He accomplished a great deal in his short life and set a good example to his friends (including myself) for how we should continue in ours.

He was someone to be admired. Having met him as a fun-loving student, it was a pleasure to see him grow into a mature and considerate young man. Despite not being one to seek the limelight, he stood out with his ambition to achieve the best for himself and willingness to help out others. I certainly won’t forget him and I know his impact has left a legacy on those who benefited through his charitable acts.

TO BE LIKE THE WIND

Oh, to be like the wind
Unworried by a single thing
Drifting through destinations with ease
Coasting and ghosting is a breeze
Surfing the skies in ecstasy
Reducing our idea of free to fallacy

Oh, to be like the wind
Not forced to hold emotions in
Blowing faster when angered
Flies off in a storm, can’t be anchored
Calms the air when feeling gentle
Letting us breathe at a standstill

Oh, to be like the wind
To whistle, to howl and to sing
In all languages, it’s understood
Nature sways in obedience to your mood
Both destroyer and saviour
Carrying our fears and our favour

K.G. says…

Funnily enough, the inspiration for this poem came to me in the middle of a quite mundane task. Although it was my choice to be doing that task, my thoughts were somewhere else entirely. It got me thinking about what freedom really is. It has different meanings to different people. The prisoner, the handicapped, the overworked labourer and even the bored celebrity will all have varying ideals of the types of freedoms they want.

As human beings, can we every truly be free? Will there always be something that restricts us in some form? Perhaps the requirement to co-exist amicably with each other means none of us can ever do what we truly want. Overall, that’s probably a good thing for the sake of humanity.

BEYOND THESE WALLS

Beyond these walls, the world waits in stow
Climb high mountains and crawl valleys below
Unplug from the walls, let new energies flow
Outside the comfort zone is where we grow

Tread the uncharted in search of challenges
Freedom’s often found in fresh experiences
Steer from the safety net to simulate senses
Thorns must be picked before smelling roses

Sway in sunshine, sandstorms and snowfalls
Camping in the comfort is where life stalls
Embrace the elements for when destiny calls
There’s more to discover beyond these walls

K.G. says…

I sort of wrote this to inspire and motivate myself as much as anything – to take a few more risks and stop putting off doing certain things. It is easy for us to create convenient (yet feeble) excuses as to why we shouldn’t embrace a new challenge or try harder to maximise our potential.

Many of us often say “I’ll do it tomorrow or next week/month/year” only to find another reason to reschedule when the time comes. Opportunities rarely find us while we quietly hide away. Therefore it is up to each of us to get up, go out there and chase our dreams. We have to live it to achieve it.