A MORNING WALK

I wrote the poem below on March 10, a week before we left for the US. As our one-year stay in Malaysia was coming to a close, I took walks around our neighborhood, savoring the time we had left. I think I can remember what I felt when I wrote this. That’s what poetry does, like a song lodged in memory, frozen in time. Partly to visit our friends and partly to escape the cold in Korea, we will swing by Malaysia (and Singapore) for a month in January and February. We will be conducting a few rounds of Suji Enneagram workshops in Singapore and Malaysia. And simply to connect and cherish our time with dear friends in those lands.

My heart ached as we left the Philippines after a recent ten-day visit. We were quite busy with speaking engagements and meetings, and spent an inordinate amount of time sitting in cars due to traffic. When indoors, we relied on air conditioners all the time, even though they said it was cooler this time of year. On the contrary, I was cold most of the time indoors and looked to buy a jacket, but came up empty-handed. After swatting away and slapping a few mosquitoes, we then flew down to Davao City in Mindanao (for the first time). Then there were durian parties, I mean feasts, twice. The second time was one in the morning when a friend of our hosts brought durians from her farm. After traveling back to our small inn, since the inn wouldn't allow durians on the property, we huddled outside by the parking lot and devoured durians (speaking for myself) and went to bed full of durian in my stomach.

While in Davao City, specifically in Tagum, we visited a local cafe, Coffee Keeper, owned and run by a pastor's brother, and held a short retreat. My wife led a time of reflection and sharing. My tears flowed freely as I listened to a small group of people share what they heard from God. They represented those who were poor in spirit and pure in heart. I sensed God’s heavy, happy presence, delighting in each of us. Our hosts, Pastors Ruthie and Joey, envision training at the grassroots level to foster a spirituality that combines contemplation and action. As they expressed a desire for partnership, we shared with them that we are ready to help and assist.

The owner invited me behind the counter and gave me a privilege to handbrew coffee for our friends

Time in Malaysia is coming to an end, for now,
what was once strange became familiar, mundane
lazy morning with motorbikes making the loudest sound
with unmistakably dull whizzing city sound in the background
but the undisturbed sky majestically boasts its signature blue with cotton cumulus clouds
reminding the city dwellers to look up occasionally
never without demands, if in need of courage, inspiration, and imagination.

It must be time for school
while I hear no birds calling
I hear children whistling and chirping from near and far
joyful and excited notes
replacing the morning birds of all kinds
moms busy saying goodbyes and sending them off to school
and the world so they can learn to fly on their own.

I too was once a chirper, eager to test my wings
fell flat many times
simple-minded, forgetful enough to keep trying
because I knew I could fly
with sky as a friend.