Tag: Eastlit

3 poems published in EASTLIT Dec 2015

by khorhmin, posted in Poem, Published, Uncategorized

I have gotten into the habit of writing poems every week, and if I feel like it, a few a day. To me, it is a fun activity – an exploration of life and experiences, and sometimes the telling of fictitious stories, through an artful play of words. When I feel like it, I like to toy around with the number of syllables in each line, and mash up the rhyming schemes.

I was delighted when EASTLIT – the Journal of English Literature, East and South East Asia, selected three of my poems to be included in the December 2015 issue. This is the second time EASTLIT has published my poems. The first was in the August 2015 issue.

 

Eastlit December 2015 Cover. Picture: Sunset Near Corbett, India by Kamakshi Lekshmanan. Cover design by Graham Lawrence. Copyright photographer, Eastlit and Graham Lawrence.

The three poems selected were The Happiness Within, Dance of the Sea and In Between. I have copied them from the journal and shared them with you below.

The Happiness Within & Other Poems

                                                                                              by Khor Hui Min

The Happiness Within

Happiness; ‘tis an age-old pursuit
Humanity’s constant search
Would you rather refute?
Looking, high as the bird’s perch

How much for happiness?
Per chance a billion or two?
How much for completeness?
To make one whole; goodbye woe?

What does it take?
Conquer the highest mountain?
Swim to the abyss of a lake?
Drink from eternal youth’s fountain?

Who can bequeath it?
A father or mother?
The best mate; perfect fit?
Or why does one bother?

Happiness; ‘tis not a void
To be filled and quenched
A gaping hollow; fixed by Freud
Or a deal to be clinched

Happiness comes from within
From the heart and soul; enduring
Fulfilment sprouts from therein
Life enriched; love encompassing

 

Dance of the Sea

A marvel of beauty and grace
In a garment of liquid lace
Expressive pirouettes; unfaltering
Enraptured in melody; pleasing
Existing only for the moment
In an intoxicating sea of movement
Living only to dance; shrouded in song
Where muses and sirens belong
Rhythmic figures of the deep
The ensemble that never sleeps

 

In Between

In between
Slumber and wakefulness

In between
Consciousness and unconsciousness

In between
Brightness and shadow

In between
Light and dark

In between
Sight and imagination

Was it there?
Or was it a dream?

Can we see beyond
Our limitations?

Or are we forever rooted
To the confines of our mind?

 

A photo on the EASTLIT October 2015 cover

by khorhmin, posted in Journal, Photo, Published

I was delighted when EASTLIT – the Journal of English Literature, East and South East Asia, selected three of my poems to be included in the August 2015 issue. Then, I decided to submit some photos to be considered for publication, since I love to take photos too.

I had done a series on the Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, and decided to send 12 photos for the selection of the editorial board. There was silence for a few weeks, then I received an email one day to inform me that one of my photos, Chinatown KL Graffiti, had been selected for the EASTLIT October 2015 issue. That was awesome news! It made my day.

😀

Eastlit October 2015 Cover. Picture: Chinatown KL Graffiti by Khor Hui-Min. Cover design by Graham Lawrence. Copyright photographer, Eastlit and Graham Lawrence.

To read EASTLIT October 2015, click here.

3 poems published in EASTLIT Aug 2015 :D

by khorhmin, posted in Journal, Poem, Published

Since I have started this blog in July 2014, I have written many poems, at least one a week. I am pleased that I have accomplished the first reason for setting up this blog, which is to encourage myself to write regularly. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by to read some of my writing and showing your support. I really appreciate it.

Besides sharing my passion for writing with all of you, I have also submitted my poems and short stories to be considered for publication in various magazines, journals and anthologies.

I was delighted when EASTLIT – the Journal of English Literature, East and South East Asia, selected three of my poems to be included in the August 2015 issue.

Eastlit August 2015 Cover. Picture: Hibakusha by Annie Ridd. Cover design by Graham Lawrence. Copyright photographer, Eastlit and Graham Lawrence.

The three poems selected were Random Kindness, Beauty and Fond Memories. I’ve copied them from the journal and shared them with you below.

Random Kindness & Other Poems

                                                     by Khor Hui Min

Random Kindness

Over distances, time and space
Vivid memory of your face
As if we only met last night
In the dim glow of the street lights
Luminous eyes reached out through rain
As if you felt the loss and pain
The comfort of your umbrella
A faint hint of sweet vanilla
Stranger’s random act of kindness
Restored my faith in selflessness

Beauty

Beautiful are its feathers
Immaculately preened
As if nothing matters
Other than vanity mean

Powdered beaks – matted shine
Curled lashes – softly fluttering
To melt any heart, to be mine
Mere illusory; demurring

Divine angel or chimera?
Will you be but mine
Caught in your blinding aura
Helpless; your clutches bind

Fond Memories

Collated in faded dusty albums
Countless fond memories of days past
Photographs of us, dad and mum

Thick album pages, made to last
Images of family for years beyond
Hold them safe and fast

Showing kindred spirits; ties and bonds
Yellowing photos in yellowing pages
For gazing, with recollections fond

From thence we grew through the ages
As our parents grew old and grey
The passage of time winds through its pages

Blood flows thicker than water, day by day
Forget not this saying, come what may

I hope you like my poems and continue to visit my blog.

Thank you! 😀