John Tiong is one of my colleagues and he is an award-winning poet from Sibu in Sarawak.
Here is his poem titled Klang River.
It is a tribute to Selangor State’s most famous river, which runs through Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang, among other cities and towns.
I came here to look
For the heart of the city
And thank God found
It in your frantic rush
Out to the Straits of Melaka
Spilling joy and laughter
The way spices and tin were
Sailed out from here years ago
I could hear the riotous tinkling
Sounds you chimed so splendidly
From below the bridge between the
Central Market and Dayabumi
That looms so perfectly up into sky
The rain had stopped and your
Rush was fast, swift, reeling
Waves spiraling and swarming
Onto those at the fore, overzealous
Children hurrying out to field
To have their evening game
I stayed put to savour all
The cheers and good vibes
Your song was spreading
To all of us, the song that said
All the way from the heart of the Peninsula
Have fun, have fun, have fun, just have fun.
Yes, yes, Klang River, I will have fun
Just have fun, come rain or shine
The way you share yours
All around, day and night
Night and day, all the way
Out to the golden Straits
