Remember Poem by john tiong chunghoo

remember
the curiosity
as a child
the stirring
in the heart
the first time
you saw
a hornbill,
a crane
that had
set wings
to your imagination
of colours,
feathers, and flight

an elephant
such giant honest creature
you could get them
walk in a line
down the circus
their trunks
trumpeting a song
livening up childhood years
the strong stench
of ammonia
from their hair,
never a repellent
to shun them

walk, walk, walk,
they saunter
down your dream
and childhood lane

after so many years
the giant elephants
that remain
the fondest of pets
illusive pets
that grace
a dozen stories written,
painted with them

remember
the million trees
in the forests
are to fire
the imagination
of the world
of the cuddly,
strange creatures in them

to light up
that inquisitive spirit
in all of us
to learn and
explore
every living creature
from the mouth of moms,
books, and neighbours

remember
the trees
stand in a straight line
as guards of honour
to salute that child
in your heart
that runs
the length and breath
of your mind, soul
the essence of your personality
the elephants trumpeting a song

inspired by

Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
Christina Georgina Rossetti