Far across the wide ocean,
Is a future unknown?
The immense wealth hidden,
Is it not within our deepest self?

The rhythms of these gentle waves ringing,
Fill my soul with sweet melody,
That smoothes my painful yearning to reach this world in unity,
‘With love and care by understanding people’s needs’

Far yonder the horizon,
Is a line of lampposts?
Seems like guiding angels,
Leading towards my goal.

Yet standing up right alone,
Here and there lie those hard rocky stones,
Rolling and knocking against each other,
With fighting spirit fully shown.

Could it be hinting to us?
That life is not as easy as it looks?
The difficult path to survive, I know not.
Try I must, to realize the sharpness and roughness of our time.

Surrounded by clear calm water,
Yet I see not the glitters.
My only feeling and worry I shoulder,
Is the eternal peace I search for?

Can the seawater,
Wash away my mistakes that I had made.
As I move forward alone,
To fight and struggle to my goal.

The motor sound I heard,
Disturbed my temporary moment of peace.
Do I need to fight against time?
Or should I wait for my dream to fall in place.

Though the brightness of the full moon tonight,
Makes my dream so bright and alive.
But unfortunately the little scattering bright stars,
Are distancing my hope that far.

The revolving beam from across,
Is showing me the way if I’m lost.
When it’s time to leave,
The rubbish papers around the green woke me up from my dream.

Maybe it’s time I should stop dreaming.
Now, finally I’m ready to accept,
Our struggle in life is painful.
Is it not times for me to face reality and lead a life of practicality?


- Is it not times for me to stop dreaming? - Sunflower Chong 1983


Footnote:
"After I had escaped from my ex-Lebonese husband from the Middle East I was not unhappy, in fact relieved and overjoyed for getting my freedom back. But at the same time I also felt kind of lost and vulnerable.

One night looking out of my mother's rental flat in Prince Philip Avenue I saw a bright full moon and I felt the need to be closer to God. I called up a friend and asked him to fetch me to Marine Parade waterfront so I could talk to Him. That was how this poem came about.

The trip did not give me the answer to all my queries about life but at least after pouring out all my emotion in paper it did helped release my pain inside."