MOON
A pearl glowing luminous in the dark.
Beautiful. Tragically lonesome.
Tear drops glistening as i looked up.
Tragic. Lonesomely beautiful.

Disco ball spinning amidst parties of stars,
Glitzy, smoky, mysteriously enchanting.
Spotlight glaring down on an empty stage,
Naked, forsaken, enchantingly mysterious.

Outside my window, the night sky loomed.
Inky, somber, ominous, enigmatic.
DARK.
Dark against the pearl, my tears, disco ball, spotlight.

As i lust after the pearl so coveted,
I brush away tears undiscovered.
Drifting along under flashes of the disco ball,
I'm shrinking away from the spotlight where i used to belong.

My moon, so bright, perfectly round tonight.
My heart, heavy. Filled with thoughts of you inside.
Your heart, so light, perfectly sound this night.
Your moon, my moon. Our moon.
Your heart, is now her heart. Sweethearts.
My moon. I'll moon. Over you tonight.


my little tribute to the full moon tonight n the mysteries it brings. for what power the quiet night has, that tugs on heart strings, stirring emotions and letting loose inspiration.


MISSION P.C.

“Sssh!” The coast is clear! Sam and Joyce, heartbeats thumping with excitement, miniature drums beating furiously against their chests, hid behind the door of the room. Yet in the background of the heavy rhythm of the drums, there was the hint of laughter, a giggle perhaps, faintly chiming in the midst of all the commotion.

They were on an important mission. Top secret and highly classified. Stealth, speed and skill were the key factors. They had to initiate the machine- technical expertise was called for. Grasped tightly in their fists were the precious artefacts, which they could not afford to forget.

The matriarch had left the premises about 5 minutes ago and the girls had got into their positions without much haste. Silence filled the room, with the exception of that incessant drumbeat and the imperceptible flitter of glee. The curtains were left undrawn, blocking out much of the sunshine from the outside world. In the dim-lit room, the musky smell wafted by each time they inhaled. It smelt of old lacquered wood mixed with that distinctive smell of fresh paper, dappled with a pinch of a metallic scent- ink, they gathered. The machine sat solemnly at the other corner of the room, enticing, anticipating the girls’ next move. So calm and composed it seemed, patiently waiting for something to happen, like the calm before the storm.

The time for action had come. There was to be no delay. They had to get to the machine, activate it, fulfill their task and retreat, leaving no clues behind of their presence, all before the matriarch returned.

“On the count of 3! 1… 2… 3!” Joyce scurried over to the corner of the room, taking cover behind the machine as Sam followed behind, light-footed and nimble, after shutting the door behind her quietly and deftly turning the lock. Nobody had seen them. Good. For how dangerous and risky this was, with the door being slightly translucent. They had succeeded in securing the room. Now all they had to do was to complete their task and retreat.

The drumbeats faded slowly. Having done this before, Joyce took the lead, guiding and instructing Sam as she went along, activating the machine. With the push of a few specific buttons, a green light blinked on and the machine whirred to life. A cheeky grin smirked on their faces, still balled up in their fists were the artefacts. The giggle in the background began to grow louder, their hearts lighter.

Joyce gingerly lifted the lid of the machine, delicately placing the artefact from her hand onto the glistening panel, smoothening it out. She had to make sure the artefact was placed exactly within the specified margins or the plan would not work. After double-checking that everything was in place, she shut the lid with silent confidence. Sam stood close, observing carefully and learning the procedure for it would be her turn next. With a steady finality to it all, Joyce then pushed the big green button. The machine beeped and started to move, scanning the artefact across from one end to the other. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, it began to chug. Slowly at first, then picking up speed, its rhythm most peculiarly irregular yet hypnotic.

The giggle rose up like a bubble and broke as Joyce gave a little quip. It looks like her task was almost completed! Just as abruptly as it started, the chugging stopped and the machine gave out a loud beep, announcing that its job had been done. Breaking into a smile, lips curling upwards to reveal her teeth, Joyce reached out for the document that slid out onto the tray. As she laid her eyes on the result of her meticulous planning, rumbling laughter erupted from her little body as she held it up proudly with both hands, displaying it for Sam to see. Sam doubled over, clutching her stomach. She could hardly believe what she saw. It was like magic! Sam could not help but join in the throes of uncontrollable laughter and celebration of her sister’s success.

There, imprinted on the stark white sheet of paper, was the unmistakable, most humouring thing of all- the perfect print of her favourite snoopy panties!

Joyce and Sam laughed until tears began to form in their eyes as they repeated the process, Sam enthusiastically trying out her first shot at this.

Then came the screeching of the main gate and the grumble of the matriarch vehicle. She had returned. Each holding about 2-3 copies of warm and crisply printed paper in their hands, Sam and Joyce quickly snatched up their prized possessions and “certificates of achievements”, flipped the power switch to OFF, putting the machine back to sleep and dashed out of the study room. In a flash of motions, they quickly stashed the evidence in the secret compartment in their closet and rushed to the living room, plopped themselves on the sofa, turned on the television and acted like they had been watching Powerpuff Girls this whole time.

Still giggling intermittently at the outrageous adventure they just had, it was perfect timing as the main door clicked open and in stepped the matriarch. “Hi, Mom!” Both girls called in that coyly sweet voice of theirs, plastered on their faces were the “ innocent-puppy-eyed” expressions.

With a nod of approval, their mummy dearest carried her bag of groceries to the kitchen and Sam and Joyce let loose their infectious but final bout of laughter. With a high-five to seal the deal, there was nothing more exhilarating and satisfying than a task well planned and executed. What more was there to say, other than- MISSION PANTY-COPY ACCOMPLISHED!