Writers' Block

a monthly contribution from our AWA Writers' Group members

Rain Forest Respite

I trek ‘til I can walk no further My body freed from the beasts of isolation My physical being exhausted by nature’s exorcism Dappled light once again infiltrating my recently vacated soul For my thoughts thrash about like caged creatures During this time of social distancing But the zoo has emptied for the moment

The macaque that has been creating Chaos in my mind as only a Chattering primate can, swinging From neuron to neuron The ever-present crashing Of branches in my head He jumped into a Putat Laut tree, as The morning sun tickled its branches And its white and pink pom-poms Beckoned him to play

The python that enveloped My lungs like a reptilian bagpiper Singing out and sucking in, Clutching me tighter when I

Written by Holly Eng

Forgot to breathe The python departed silently As I approached a patch of lemongrass, Its scent of Pledge and Fruit Loops Airily filling the void The serpent left

The monitor lizard that had taken up A heavy residence in my gut With its plodding steps and Flickering tongue Slid into the marsh and escaped Between the lily pads With nary a belch

My heart expands within me, as For a moment, I am freed From the menagerie of Being alone, Released to enjoy The enlivening presence Of the tropical forest

The AWA Writers’ Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month. For more information, send an email to writers@awasingapore.org