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| Huminodun by Malek Rahim |
I burn the candle at both ends
Writing legends
I am told I should take a breather
Yet I am driven
Biting off more than I can chew
The folklores are petering out
So I rack my brains
And try not to be bogged down
It is a bitter pill to swallow
that maybe we don't care about folklore
I get the drift
But I carry this flaming torch
I guess I break even in my quest
To stop the loss of legends
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Kelvin is host today over at dVerse. And he inspires us with idioms!
This is certainly not one of my best poems. But the subject is real. I am exhausted. For our national day celebrations this August, I have been writing A Hikayat A Day, for 17 days of the celebration, targeted for schoolchildren. The illustrations are lovely, but the writing is relentless.
Which stories to include? What lessons from the stories do I keep?
Would the kids enjoy these old ancient legends?
This is certainly not one of my best poems. But the subject is real. I am exhausted. For our national day celebrations this August, I have been writing A Hikayat A Day, for 17 days of the celebration, targeted for schoolchildren. The illustrations are lovely, but the writing is relentless.
Which stories to include? What lessons from the stories do I keep?
Would the kids enjoy these old ancient legends?
Carry the torch, girlfriend. Carry the torch.
ReplyDeleteIt's been some years LaTonya! Great to see you here - do catch the legends from 31st August 2013 to 16th September 2013!
Deletesmiles...i would hope we care...our legends and folklore tell of our history...even if they are story...it is how it was passed down before it could be recorded...you do a good job with it too...i enjoyed the book you sent me...smiles.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. I am just one lone voice but I do try to make as many as possible stand up and listen. Nowdays, I get to use radio and the newspapers too!
DeleteNinot Ma'am,
ReplyDeleteNoble of you to have taken such a responsibility. Looking forward to it. Yes, someone has to do it. Keep at it Ma'am! But take of your health, though! Great!
Hank
I know, Sir Hank. I am not getting any younger (though I feel younger). Do drop by from Hari Merdeka to Hari Malaysia. There will be a legend each day!
DeleteYours makes perfect sense, idioms and all... and I can relate to burning the candles at both ends, too.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Laurie...don't we all? Try to do everything at one go? I still think about how the dVerse team does the rounds. And say to myself, I can do this.
DeleteI hear your exhaustion and I applaud your passion and perseverance. It is enough to tell the stories, to preserve them in book form, to carry them forward. Your books will find their way into peoples' hands for millennia and thus, your work is done. Never worry that some may not care - or be aware - the ones who do will bless you for doing your good work. (But you do get to take a break and have a rest too, sometimes!)
ReplyDeleteDear darling Sherry - need I tell you - please take a break yourself!
DeleteAnd thank you for reminding me it's okay what others think, or do not think. It hurts to care so much. And reading your note, I realize, it's okay. I have done my part.
Love this! I know how it is to be driven but at some point you will take a breath.
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee. When I am drowning in legends, I will come up to take a breather....:-)
Delete...we are all gifted to write but not all can acquire such passion & mastery in preserving the real magic & essence behind every legends & folklores...and for that i commend you. for all you do & done t'wards the campaign & preserving these fading gems of the ancient world... i wish there could be a lot of Ninot scattered all over the world to spread the wonders of classical myths & legends for the sake of the yet sleeping future generations... smiles... be proud for there are many in the world that is proud of what you're doing... & pls count me in... smiles...
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelvin. That really meant a lot. I know my poetry blogosphere mates have been nothing but encouraging. After all, these are Malaysian legends. Asian legends.
DeleteThen I realize - of course, they are the world's legends too.
I am so glad I have all of you.
This definitely sounds like a worth while project. I do think children need to learn the legends. I admire you for taking on such a task. You will be richly rewarded.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Mary. I have also written a book on Asian legends but editing, translation work and the whole gamut of publishing concerns are taking forever.
DeleteMy reward is to have the whole world learn a little bit more about our legends, and our children to be well versed with Hikayat as they are with fairytales...
Absolutely we should stop the loss of legends. Wonderful write. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you feel this way too. It makes the journey so much fulfilling.
DeleteWonderful! good to see you after quite some time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Akila! It is really nice to know there are some who noticed I had to go on a break. Much appreciated, friend!
DeleteA great endeavor. Honorable.
ReplyDelete