Seasons of Life - an Anthology of Poems and Short Stories by Jay Ong Minzhi by Jay Ong Minzhi - HTML preview

God can.

He is the epitome of grand (Acts 7:55),

A mighty savior King

As well as a close and personal Friend

That anyone can lean.

He makes the path straight,

For those who obey

And do not stray.

 

 

Fireflies At Midnight (was all that was seen)

 

The drifter awakened,

 

One glance at him and anyone would conclude that he’s been out for a significant period: He was totally worn out, dressed in weather-beaten attire and not washed for the longest of time.

 

The deep blue sea was rough and stormy, it was tough and fearsome but at certain occasions warm and gentle – especially in the darkness and emptiness of night.

To him, it was not really all that lonesome; with the star-lit sky that he witnessed, the fireflies at midnight, what seemed like fireworks and floating lights in the open, endless, space. In this vast matrix of life, memories that he saw flew by through shooting stars.

 

Fireflies at midnight,

Fireflies burning Bright,

Fireflies guiding me through the night,

Through this churning sea and tide.

Fireflies brighten up the star-lit sky –

All throughout this lonesome plight.

 

Man has and as such developed desire for a greater place, a wonder and a spirit of adventure for the undiscovered, for what lies beyond the clouds: the horizons in the morning, the galaxies and a question of existence. Do we have a place in the distant lands we go to after we pass on? Everyday in an endless drift, neural-patterned memories of past thoughts and images formed fly, overlapped by familiar tunes, sights and sounds in perfect harmony with nature, which rapidly rush through his mind. Maybe he was better off in this simple raft than the home, the place he used to be.

 

As night grows cold,

Memories of old

Past by like a show

Take a bow.

Say a goodbye -

Life has been but

A passing by.

 

Now, as daylight dawned onto the earth, he thought that his life was over as he opened his eyes in agony and dismay. All the “floater” remembered were tidal waves and the salty but cool sea breeze. To his utter amazement, he peered at the distance and saw an island appear out of nowhere. He wondered if it were a distortion of an already warped reality - It just could not be… However, it was too late as instinct took control over his wearied mind as he leapt straight into the water and hastily waded through the seawater. Paradise was there - whether he was daydreaming, “fallen into deep sleep”, in heaven or whatsoever. He was startled as he realised how shallow the water was. How long had he been out at sea already? Anyway, it did not matter to him anymore as the adventure at sea had now ended.

 

These memories fade away as sand,

Echoes of time wither into dust.

From dawn to dusk,

No one can foresee God’s plan,

When life should come to an end.

 

Sing

 

Sing a new song to the Lord

The battle is already won and fought

As Victory was sought

Salvation cannot be bought

It was already paid with a price-

The Blood of Jesus Christ

 

A Prayer Of Eternity (Part 1)

 

Freezing in cold ice,

Struggling with the pain of life,

Distractions that entice,

This (adventure) is not a game of dice.

In this journey of faith,

You alone guide and carry me up the staircase.

To a vision that I have never seen before,

You make me stand tall,

Protect and guide my steps from any fall.

You never let my foot slip,

Ordained praise and worship from my lips.

You have always held my hand,

Through circumstances, life’s plots and schemes.

 

A Prayer Of Eternity (Part 2)

 

Waves of circumstances will not consume me

Even as I believe in what I do not see

Everyday is a new victory

The Lord’s word a deep mystery

He revealed them to children of His-

People like you and me.

Throughout all the galaxies,

The Lord’s beauty sublime-

His light and vision shine

Since the start of time.

As the end draws near,

I have no fear

For I know you are holding me dear.

My life, my whole being,

Is in You I’m perfectly sure.

 

Above It All

 

Soar above the stars on earth,

In the galaxies,

The sun and moon,

As we see them.

There is one beholding on His throne of grand.

Every word is majestic,

Beyond human concept and plan.

God is the brightest of lights,

In the darkest of nights.

 

A Trip In My Dream

 

Have you woke up feeling you could leave earth and everything?

One day after clearing the bin,

I went to bed with a dream.

My face gleened,

As I floated above the skies to heaven.

I saw the gates of pearls,

Pure as one could imagine.

As I entered the place,

I looked and gazed

At the field where animals grazed,

All of them living harmoniously

Where they were raised by thee.

The cats, dogs, lions, tigers, sheep and more alike,

All living and playing together without a bite.

As I looked to my right,

There I had an incredible sight.

As what the bible foretold,

The streets were paved with gold

It was bustling with angelic hosts,

Floating around like brightly lit ghosts.

They were singing hymns and songs of praise and worship,

And some even sounded quite cool and hip.

Suddenly out of heaven there was a great light,

And something that sounded like a loud buzz and beep.

I opened my eyes

And switched off my hand phone – The beeping device.

As I turned I saw the hymnal book at a corner,

And the bible at another.

“This must be the reason”,

I thought to myself as I eagerly awaited another slumber,

Reality to me seemed more distant and blur.

 

Praise Be To God

 

Praise be to God,

Who went through it all.

You took my guilt and shame,

Saved me through Your blood and pain.

In You I fix my eyes upon,

To the prize in heaven I seek to gain.

Riches on earth I heed not,

But trust fully in Your Holy name.

Jesus,

The name above all names.

Jesus,

The King of all kings.

Jesus,

The Lord of all lords,

The One and True Living God.

 

Created For Much More

 

The echoes of time-space barriers still sound,

Memories of time and distance by space bound

Complexities of human existence marked are caused

Only by vagueness of understanding existence

Itself, how and why we exist,

Of knowing full well the one who existed

Before time, in time, out of time,

And the creator of it all.

In a man’s search for meaning in life,

Through struggles and strife,

Only a discovery that occurs to him comes to light.

We were made for so much more,

However few years we could live for.

Time passes as a breeze,

It blows over life, like a garden of bees.

They do not know how many years they live,

Yet they busy and work until they leave (the earth) with age.

In this aspect, there is a turn of a new page.

Within us,

A “God-shaped hole”,

How great the size of emptiness is!

 

 

 

 

Angel (Part 1)

 

“I’ve come to take you to the source,

The creator of creation.

To catch the sunrise in your life again,

The place where one never grows weary.

You will open your eyes and see –

The amazing place in store with thee.

All that you have gone through,

Will be a memory.

A passing fantasy,

Awaiting you a new reality.

You will see Him for all of eternity.

The trials that passed you,

Will make you

Into the person you are to be.

Believe me,

You will agree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angel (Part 2)

 

“It is time to leave the past behind,

Take my hand and resign.

From all your worries and stress in your mind,

Open the curtains and pull the blinds.

Remove the cover on your face and your veil,

For He wants to see you well.

 

He will be waiting there,

I will take you through the air,

Eagerly without a moment to spare.

We will glide through nowhere,

As you take the ride of your life,

To the place of no more sorrow and strife.”

 

 

 

 

Response

 

I find victory in my weakness,

For it is You I trust in Lord Jesus.

You lift me up in Your gentle hand,

As You guide me through your great plan.

You make springs of living water,

Burst out of me like a dam.

I shall drink Your righteousness and not thirst,

Taste your goodness as I claim Your verse.

 

You are the Alpha and Omega,

My Redeemer, my Saviour and my Maker.

I worship You,

For You are Holy Lord,

Your goodness beyond all understanding and thought.

Worthy of all honour and praise,

Saved me with Your perfect Grace.

 

In Your warm embrace,

No questions I will raise.

In you my faith I will place,

Your sweet mercy and grace I will taste.

Your Heart of hearts mine will chase,

Even as I run this arduous race.

I will soar on wings like eagles,

My destiny in You I am sure.

 

It is You I adore,

Your Love You unceasingly pour.

The curtains of the temple You tore,

The weight of us You bore.

You are victorious and risen,

You set the captives free from prison.

Tired and weary souls You liven,

For You my heart will always burn.

 

Peace

 

Peace that surpasses all understanding –

Like the birdling taken care of its mother

In the midst of a storm.

All troubles are gone,

Through the faith and trust in nurturing hands.

Like the potter shaping the clay,

Commit and the surrender of this process day by day

Cast and shaped by His perfect plans.

 

Deeper Than The Ocean

 

In a place deeper than the ocean,

Nothing like it I could ever fathom.

One word that calls me to return,

Where my soul and mind has always been.

 To the fields and pastures of green.

There is no lack,

Life saved by His grace from a wreck.

From darkness of pitch blackness,

To peace like a river with no thirst.

The bubble of joy has to burst,

Let it flow from heaven down to earth.

 

No Regrets

 

Live with no regrets,

Live to give it my all.

Like an eagle I will soar,

Amongst man I shall stand tall.

For the Lord has been so good to me,

Made me rest in His pastures of green.

He has brought me through this ordeal,

Stamped on my destiny with a seal.

The worship music still sounds in my ears,

Out of the window of the soul I peer.

Distant memories I remember since last year,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Boys and girls.

I want to thank the Lord,

For victory in the battle fought.

He protects me under the shadow of His wings,

He shields me with His fort,

As I take a leap forward,

My mind is no longer troubled or distraught.

For He preserves my joy,

Even in the pain and toil.

 

 

God of the impossible

 

Our God is the God of the impossible,

He makes all good things possible.

He made us with value and destiny eternal,

We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Like a sculptor shaping a blank slate,

He designed us,

The galaxies and the earth’s plates.

He formed Adam,

And His soul mate.

They disobeyed,

From the tree of knowledge of good and evil they ate.

Out of the Garden of Eden they were banished,

It seemed that hope for human kind had vanished.

Until in the world came Jesus,

Who fixed the broken pieces.

He died for the world,

For You and me

He held very dear.

 

Divine Love

 

There is a love only You can satisfy,

A hope of life in You I can find.

Come and dwell inside my heart,

Fellowship and dine with You throughout time.

 

Love so divine,

Opens up inspiration to those blind.

His name brings joy to many faces,

Peace and harmony throughout the races.

Regardless of what hardship places,

His name is my Lord and Saviour Jesus.