The Golden-Showers Tree

That's the name I gave them. The Golden-showers tree. They probably have a more scientific name... maybe I should check it out at the Botanical Gardens or something, but heck, until then, they will be known as the golden-showers trees. Anyway, these trees can be found in various parts of Singapore. They are big trees, normal looking, but filled with beautiful little yellow flowers that drift to the ground when the wind blows. They are especially pretty when the sun's rays are shining upon them, causing it to sort of emit this radiant glow. Anyway, there are a few of them outside my school's gate, and I've only just noticed it recently.

There used to be quite a few in NUS, next to the Arts Forum, in the park more commonly known as "The Lovers' Park"..though why on earth anyone wanna sit there in the scorching sun being bitten by moskies is beyond my wildest imagination..... Well, whenever i went to the library, I would choose to sit by the window which looks out into Lovers' Park, simply because it overlooks the golden-showers trees.

I remember writing a poem about it before. So last night, i dug out my old notebook and found this "poem" (its actually just some random words strung together into random sentences.. But heck, if i call it a poem, it's a POEM!) written on 6 March 2003.

"Thoughts in the Library - Lovers' Park"

The branches reach up into the heavens
The sun's rays streaming through the leaves
Golden showers falling from the sky
Like shimmering snow floating down from heaven

In the stillness of it all
a little movement, a stir
a bird perched atop a branch
and then stillness once more

Why? They ask
Why? The answer obvious for all who see
Seeking and finding none
Finding yet silently resisting

A life for self
A life for others
No where to go, but always going
Somewhere. A place beyond