Ironically, In This Vastness Of Land

Ironically, In This Vastness Of Land

This is a poem, titled after a hand-painted bowl which was created by the author, a few years ago. Whereas , the poem is inspired by the many tragic news of perished immigrants on rough seas. They were trying to reach a better-land in this, ironically, vastness of land on mother earth.

IRONICALLY, IN THIS VASTNESS OF LAND
 
 In this vastness of land
 stretching and circling this bowl
 round and round, but, to no end!
 
 From the bowl’s interior
 radiates that phosphorescent glow
 a beckoning promise, almost superior!
 
 Across the wide seas and oceans
 breaking families, risking lives
 to find that elusive ‘greener grass’ notions!
 
 On rough waters,  human lives
 inhumanly packed in over-crowded sea vessels
 clutching desperately to partners and wives.
 
 “I see the land, I see the land!”
 But it was, many a times,  an illusion
 to touch beaches, to kiss the sand.
 
 Can you see the land,
 a better-land? 
 Will freedom be your stand
 in this vastness of land?
 
                               -Chen Song Ping @ TPTan, 18 Jan 2021- 

“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

“What has happened to us in this country? If we study our own history, we find that we have always been ready to receive the unfortunate from other countries, and though this may seem a generous gesture on our part, we have profited a thousand fold by what they have brought us.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

SING A SONG OF FREEDOM

The following poem is about music as a plausible and healing therapy. Especially for those incarcerated in mental hospitals, prisons, or immigrant centers. A notable concept is Making music, healing souls including Sing Your Heart Out (SYHO),and Finding sanity through songs.

 Sing a song of freedom
 
 Sing a song of freedom
 breaking through four walls
 is a light; a beacon
 
 In immigration detentions 
 prison or hospitals 
 do buoy up musical extensions
 
 
 Rehearse a song 
 for sanity sake
 all day long.
 
 Sing your heart out (SYHO)
 as loud as you want 
 even if you carry no clout.
 
 Adopting therapy in music 
 as a tool for recovery
 Keeping minds clear; lucid
 
 So, do sing a song of freedom
 finding sanity through songs
 to free the mind of demons
 for one with no intent of treason.
   
                        Chen Song Ping, 18 Jan 2021