In The Dark.. Poem by john tiong chunghoo

limbs grow in the dark to obstruct
the chariot that ferries the heart,
which now runs in a maddening speed
so that it loses its noble direction
to heaven to hell to heaven to hell?

menacing trees lull like spirits and
wave forlornly, outcasts of a life spent in
the fearful dungeons of feuds, mistrust, hatred,
tears and jealousies

the broken windows of a haunted house
sprout eyes that stare for sacrifices of souls
birds and bats flap in the wings of the full moon
to cast flickering shadows that run on the lane
full of nightmarish tales of curses and evil

in the stars the hymns of heavens tinkle
to break through the thickness of night

the angels wait in earnest to liven up the sky
with music and prayers, clasped hands at the heart
thumping to chase away anything ominous
to give the soul a second chance

and trapped in the broken windows with eyes growing dim
the devil heaves and sighs