Shirleen Shiao 2E/06

I wrote this poem, inspired by the theme of nature as both nurturing and destructive. I also especially liked Man's Relationship with Nature, and thus wrote about how nature has untainted beauty, is a source of inspiration and a reason for celebration. I wanted to bring about the idea that nature is sometimes still perfect, still boundless, still harmful, still dual, but despite all of this, nature is, in the end, beautiful.

I was asked to paint a portrait of nature,
and I thought, this is easy as can be.
I'll write about how nature's beauty lures -
birds, flowers, leaves and trees.

But then I saw, the vastness of it all
Tall, bulky, sturdy trees were standing tall,
Like they were proclaiming their magnificence out loud,
as if man did not know, what their presence was all about.

The trees stood out against the clear blue sky
Oh yes, I do see how hard they try
to cast intricate patterns upon the otherwise empty canvas,
but they only illustrate their worth to the blind, the slightless.

But flowers bloom, their vibrancy bursts forth
Delicate, colourful petals are fragile, too soft.
They ring out unanimously a song of zest and life
It seeks harmony and union, admist all of man's strife.

Then I see, a boy blading on the pathway
Rushing past Mother Nature's marvellous works
Going too fast to realise where true preciousness lay
Gems of the world are all around, this isn't too weird

Look at the swans, they are the epitome of elegance
But no, man is not too concerned
The swans are pure, too divine to be unloved
We all know what we lack, but no one speaks a word.

So let nature overwhelm you,
and cover you like how a blanket comforts a child
Smell the fragrances, observe the hues
Nature is calm and collected, it isn't always wild.

Nature's transcending beauty is a light unto our paths,
Its duality means we sometimes have to suffer its wraths
But there is beauty in the breakdown, that is beauty everlasting
Hear nature's cry, this then would be life enchanting.

Shirleen Shiao
2E