A Monkey Poem by john tiong chunghoo

A monkey
I remember when I was only two and curious
At writing, had set on the blackboard in the
Kitchen, started scribbling with a chalk,
Aunty startled, laughed and complimented:
'Clever Boy, your writings are so good.'
Since then my days have been filled
With letters and figures, the stars, moon,
And the seas, my little brain going
Everywhere. 'One thing at a time, John,
Don't bite more than you can chew. Don't
Run before you can walk, ' aunty chided.
The world tumbles through my life like
A train carrying myriad passengers,
Each a different facet of a diamond
That makes this world sparkle with
Brilliance. 'Yes, John, there is beauty
In each of us, in fact everything, if we
Learn the ropes to get to them, ' Aunty
Suggested pointing to a monkey throwing
A coconut from a tree to its owner.