A Marriage Made in Heaven

 

                                                             Ainee the Elegant Bride

The Playful Gesture of the Traditional  'Cake Tasting'

The Wedding: It was solemnised a long time ago

between Ainee a friend of Hank's daughter Azlin 

and Hendroff a Caucasian.

Images: Attributed to Azlin and her friends

 

The bride wore white of Victorian tradition demurely chic perhaps even docile

as a choice. Not strapless nor sleeveless but just as elegant, It was matched with 

the groom dressed in Malay costume. Teary eyed Mom emotional as seen often 

but not on this occasion looking brave as ever. Dad and family extending support 

with their presence. 

Friends of the bride threw in their lot accentuating their all, Not anything raucous 

but enough. They squeezed in a Bachelorette Party. They sacrificed time for three 

separate occasions, The Bachelorette, the akad (marriage vows ceremony) and the 

wedding reception. Drawing on experiences and a variety of  talents, they handled

it all for a modest outing hurriedly but perfect in execution

A whirlwind romance Hendroff and Ainee in matrimonial bliss uniting two families 

from two continents. For them both we would gladly wish them the best for the 

future, for that wonderful marriage made in heaven.

Blending two cultures

Supported by office mates

A blissful future

Mish at d'Verse Poets Pub Haibun Monday: Wedding Bliss

The Economic Front

 

                                                                                                     Author: Rene Hernandez

Image: Modern Cities

(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

The Sunday Whirl Wordle

the 10 of the 12 given words: 

shadow stone compass random 

silver echo drone clip dry velvet

He's lost! Beyond a shadow of doubt

He has to get out of the situation

There is a thick jungle to go through

He's not going to leave stones unturned

Life's challenges present the test

 

No compass to provide directions

A random search for easy solutions

will not be the answer

Can he expect a silver lining 

in such an environment!

 

A global disaster is in the making

A build-up towards an economic

downturn is the ultimate scenario

It may echo the Depression of the 30's

But the reality of developments of 2 

different eras present a portent difference 

Given the current AL phenomenon 

with its exponential targets achieved it

is a revelation of beneficial perspectives

forthcoming. There are no drones 

of old from above dropping leaflets

but surprises of achievements are there

with no ending!

With BRICS, small countries will be

welcomed and not clipped high and dry 

when strong nations made decisions on 

a nice velvet fabric favouring big nations

Brenda at The Sunday Whirl Wordle 772

Magaly at PSU Friday Writings #242: Perspective

Simple Fables

                             
                                                                                             Author: Malene Thyssen
Image: The Wily Fox
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

It is fun and simple
Often relates to some things
familiar and at hand
It’ll catch immediate attention

Who has not heard of the Hare
and the Tortoise!

Fables have always been around
to instill awareness and
wonder in young minds

Explained simply 

yet effectively
Elements of fairy tales
yet with credibility

Never trust a flatterer
in the Fox and the Crow
Familiarity breeds contempt
in the Fox and the Lion

Why must it always be

the wily Fox, anyway!

Grace at d'Verse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight #414

Flowers Galore

                                                                         Egon Schiele, Field of Flowers (1910)

Image: The Beauty of Spring

(courtesy of Melissa's Poetics at d'Verse)

Comes the time nature’s
swing moods clamouring towards
beauty of spring-time

Riding high buoyant
circle of life about to
accord fresh upsurge

Steadfast in splendour
greenery and flowers rule

drab cold forgotten

Melissa's at d'Verse : Poetics -Pulling poetry from the landscape

All is Not Lost!

                                                                                                           Author: Kody8958
Image; Youngsters at Play

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

Mark of innocence

Reckless show of defiance

Protesting for no good reason

Youngsters seen as indifferent

A process of growing up

Dare make an attempt

To accord due respect to elders

Prolonged process of awareness

Rough diamonds need polishing

But all is not lost!

Punam at d'Verse - Quadrille #354: I Protest

Modern China

                                                                                                      Author: ermell

Image: Chinese High Speed trains in Shanghai-
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 

3.0 Unported license)

Looking at the illusion and to be able to 
breeze through a scattered gaze is plain 
to the eye but difficult  to fathom

Won the Korean currency is bent to gain 
international splendour upon a gathering
of strength befitting the hardy and hard-
working fervour of its people

It is beginning to rattle other growing 
economies through its ability to harness
and harvest the benefits of international 
commerce.They penetrate right through
the skin to lodge in to the secular and
jugular core of business acumen and ethics. 

They got over the stigma of inferior quality 
of products and are now worthy  successors 
to the Japanese who have lately sagged and 
lagged behind in their competitive advantage 
and are instead trailing from the rear.

Hank had written the above on Nov 30, 2014
With a little more than a decade we are 
privileged, and astounded to witness 
the change attributed to China.

An Epilogue
China has been blessed with the dedication
and foresight of its leadership. Deng Xiaoping
bravely emerged after Mao but not without 

challenges to his personal self. Nonetheless 

things changed variously and tremendously,

which is an understatement.

Barely a few years ago the change was felt
and expected but only until very recently it
thrived without a known ending

The AI 'revolution' brought it out in the open
and DeepSeek became known particularly.
The world is now basking in the exponential
development of things AL and no one can 
tell what's brewing!

Rosemary's at PSU Friday Writings #241: Change

In the Failing Lights

                                                                                                      Author Mariusz Guć

Image: Visions and Shadows

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

to include the following lines in the prose:

." . . and the iridescent image swims through a mirror that flows.” 
 -  Stanley Kunitz from his  poem King of the River.

Iridescent means: showing bright colours that seem 

to change when you move or look from a different angle.

Failing lights follow the rocking of the boat. 

It reserves a thought for what is in store in the morning. 

One feels the concern for the guilt for not coming 

back with a decent decision and looks like the 

iridescent image swims through a mirror that flows.

It appears better from the other side and then the 

other, depending on the movement of the sun earlier

Is it with full abandon to just raise both hands 

and prepare to give up.

Many have walked this path. Many are familiar with the

underlying frustrations of not being satisfied with the ones

done lately. Time constraints may not be the reason. 

It is perhaps to throw everything to the winds and to see 

what is giving way. Building walls around one's options 

may not get the desired results. It stifles growth and that 

is not good at all!

Dora at d'Verse's Prosery—Luminous Accounting

But dreams lingered on...!

                                                                                                   Author: Chris Downer
Image: Lady in the Distance

(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

Rue to the one who thought

The eyes were seeing things
What apparition, playing tricks

Someone familiar out there?
Ruefully..
Check !

Someone beckoning in the distance

So he thought
An uncanny resemblance
How she had transformed
Sultry in the failing light

He asked, was it for real?
Stagnant in thoughts
Check again!

Undaunted he surged forward
He called out her name and waited….

There was no response
Just the cool of the day
There was nothingness
His stomach squirmed
His mind numbed
He yearned for her

His senses malfunctioned
Lost in thoughts…
She had been long gone
Reality was not easy to accept
But dreams lingered on...

Ruefully…
A quiet prayer….solace in silence!

There would be someone…!

Sanaa in d'Verse Open Link Night #413 

with Live Edition

Belimbing

 

Image:1 A bunch of belimbing on the tree in our backyard

Image:2 Taken from another angle of the same tree. The flowers are seen on the right side, red in colour

Note: A distant cousin of the star-fruit, smaller in size but rounded not star-shaped. Measures about 6cm (2.5 inch) The tree in our backyard sprouted a generous offering. Very sour, can be taken raw but not munched as a fruit. It is taken as an appetizer.. 

Pounded with chillies

Whets the appetite with meals

In place of chutney

As a curry dish

With fish and coconut milk

Fun with rice for lunch

Dried out in the sun

Thrown in as one of items

To make mixed pickles

Sumana's Open Link at 'What's Going On?' 

This is an old posting.

Kissing in the Rain

                                                                            Author ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser

Image: Wonders of the Weather
(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under the

Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

Letting the rain to run down in rivulets
There they are oblivious of the wet
Resolute in not wanting to regret
 A panacea of pain failing to observe
Clasped in the entanglements of love

 

Sweetness belies feelings less of trivia 

Turbulent in thoughts but standing on air

Tugging in the cold they don’t deserve

Let loose emotions that are hazardous

A couple in throes of falling in love

Exudes warmness in having to let
Can man continue without feelings of guilt? 
Obliquely avoiding words of despair
Headstrong pushing seemingly unfair
 
Twinkling eyes of the lady a respite
Not revealing the dumbness of the plight
Softening the savage breast of the ardour 

Kissing in the rain is an obvious splendour

Lisa in dVerse Poetics — Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Island of Beauty

 

                                            Author:Honey 

Image: A Beautiful Lady

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license) 

Untouched 
Exuding bright rays of hope 
Island of beauty

Adored by many
Pristine serene and misty 
Far from prying eyes

Not readily seen
Rare glimpse at the window 
Smiles are luxuries

A forbidden fruit 
A courtship of old
Jumping for joy

Uppermost, Mom’s approval 

De Jackson at d'Verse Quadrille #353: 

Jumpstart your Poem

The Anaheim's Disneyland

                                                                                                       Author: Hank's
Image: Entrance to Anaheim's Disneyland

Process note: 

This is a revamp of an old posting of our journeying over to Anaheim many years ago  The original prompt calls for an Other Voice. I had it made out from my daughter's voice of her reminiscences of the wonderful sojourn. 

The Happiest Place on Earth

It was a dream that I had dreamt of. We were here now, Mom and Dad  and my younger brother Hafidz. I just couldn’t believe it. Barely a few weeks ago on TV, we were then watching a program tagged the Happiest Place on Earth.

Apparently Dad had long before decided and saved. A flurry of events followed which we later realised. Dad had made preparations but cooking up a surprise. Everything were ready, passports, luggage, light attire. And now we were all here!

Disneyland here we come. Wow, this was going to be fun!

Main Street  USA we gave it a pass. We went over to Fantasyland just as fast. Then it was What a Small World, Peter Pan and Space Mountain in Tomorowland. It was alive! Beware The Haunted House. The subsequent Adventureland and Jungle Cruise then  followed with later the Frontierland and Thunder Mountain Railroad. They were all full of surprises. We kids just wanted more!

Hafidz and I were in the ‘thrill’ mode. Taking snapshots Dad kept himself busy
Showing  them in class they would be green with envy

The 3-day Passport was not quite enough. But being here itself was heavenly, thank our lucky stars. Since we were in the vicinity, we had a peek at Las Vegas. Free meals in the casinos were widely advertised. Then into the Nevada desert in the morning a leisurely ride to arrive at another spectacle, the Hoover Dam, what a sight!

The next day we ventured south to San Diego Sea World with a stopover at Capistrano to sight the swallows. Awaiting at Sea World a sight of fantasy of illustrious performances. Man and sea animals all in unison, a  scenic spectacle, a marvel to see 

I’ll always love my Daddy, for giving us this marvelous opportunity

Dreams of youngsters here

Adventure rolled into one

Fulfilled in Disney

Frank's at d'Verse's a Haibun Monday 8-3-26: Journeying out!

Lying by the Sea-shore

                                                                                           Author: Hasanblaze
Image: A Coconut on the Beach

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

MLMM Monday Wordle 

The 10 of 12 given words:

cast, lightly street, sensitive, cool, view, 

tickle attract, evening, glow, attract 

Basking in the evening sun

Lying by the sea-shore
Not a worry anymore

The sea breeze seeks to brush by

The constant lashings of the waves 

Slow sounds in low octaves

Unlike the din on busy streets

Free to laze at ease 

With nothing sensitive
Filling in the time to feel easy

Cool view of moments of solitude
Feelings of gratitude 

No one to tickle or intrude

Heightened the  mood 

Later in the evening glow

Easiness held sway 

Attracting in a good way 

None that I’m seeing 

Engulfed all my being
Not a bother in the world

Picture Prompt: A lone coconut on the beach

Mindlovemisery Managerie's: MLMM 

Monday Wordle #488