Birthday Wishes to my niece Stell

In my eyes, you’re still the little girl
Who loved to sing and loved to do the twirl
How I used to read you stories in funny little ways
How you used to play with Don in those carefree happy days
Now that you’ve all grown and life’s so different now
Sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but you’ll get through somehow
So as you go on life’s journey, just let God lead your way
Though the path gets rough at times, He’s at your side to stay
‘Coz when the storm is over, the rainbow will appear
A reminder to you that God is always near !


Love from Aunty Girlie
May 11, 2001

~liz sammy-chin ~

A Letter to my dear Dad

You passed on when I wasn't even four
Wished I was older ‘coz then I would have known more
The things about you to tell my own sons,
But we didn’t even know each other; we didn’t even have fun

But over the years, I’ve heard stories of you
Told by my elders but sometimes their tales needed review
Thanks to my brother George your life story he put straight
So now the good man that you were is not open to debate

You worked so hard and didn’t even get to enjoy
The fruits of your labour; to see your children get employed
But worry not dear dad for we have all done well
It’s thanks to you and mom that we have all excelled

I’ve heard you’re a dignified and quiet man
For people with problems a helping hand you’d extend
I’m so proud to know my dad was a kind and generous soul
And I count myself lucky to be part of your enormous fold

Now, your grandchildren would like to know you more
So to my elders I’ll go for your stories to explore
Though short your life, the good you’ve done remain
How I wished I had shared your joys, your sorrows and your pain

A drunk you were not as some elders have us believe
Social drinking after a hard day’s work as a way of relief
The true story is that you were a loving husband and dad
Who would have given mom and us everything that you had

The Lord must have had a reason for taking you away
Maybe it was time for you to rest and our time to repay
Our turn to look after mom and to help each other through
So that we’ll always be united in whatever we do.

~ Liz Sammy-Chin ~

A Candle in the Dark

The tiniest flicker of a solitary candle
Can brighten up the darkest night
Accept our care though it be simple
In our hearts we share with you the gift of light

~Liz Sammy-chin ~

Judy's Garden....for my friends Judy and Bian Aun

In a vast spacious compound Judy’s garden stands
With huge caladium fronds, spreading out like fans
When you enter her home, you’ll be greeted by “kois”
O what grace, what beauty! To behold them was joy

Lotus and water lilies by this serene pond grows
A point of conversation and visitors to show
Dainty multi coloured hues are the flowers they bear
On their lily pads sit, little frogs without care

Towards the back of this spreading compound
“Neath the huge casuarina, little birds can be found
pecking on the seeds that the old palm trees bear
O Birds spare some to grow for that’s only fair!

Another family of fish lives in the big back pond
Lending them shade are the huge coconut fronds
A plant of grace and fragrance is the magnolia plant
Thriving on little rain and the rays of the sun

Trees of varied species all have a home in this place
For to leave this space idle, would be a great waste
So an orchid garden to the left have been built
And some greening’s been done so the flowers won’t wilt

And at this stage I think I might just add
That Bian Aun’s the architect of this cosy pad
Bird watching is a passion that they both share
So their garden will be home to any birds of the air

The birds and the dogs so freely they roam
Ecologically balanced, they all feel at home
So the insects and pests all know they are safe
In Judy’s Garden they don’t really behave.

~ Liz Sammy-Chin ~

Yvonne's Little Eden

In this Little Eden she enjoys her plants and birds
Just admiring her flowers, no need for words
The rich flora and fauna all agree
That they don’t mind housing the birds and the bees

A beautiful wild ginger it’s colour lends
It’s vibrant red blooms with the other plants blend
‘Neath the ginger, a maidenhair fern grows
Beside it, the bouganvillea its colour bestows

The MacArthur’s palm standing elegant and tall
Sharing its shade to plants big and small
Coleous and begonias all healthily thrives
Under the palm, from the sun they hide

The majestic ficus with its branches so strong
Welcomes the birds where they nurture their young
The ficus tree is the king of this patch
It’s beautiful foliage that none can match.

In a little lot at the back of the land
Vegetables grow, tended by Yvonne’s loving hands
What peace and joy this garden radiates
Serenity! Ideal spot to meditate!

Her little patio is where she entertains friends
Her pretty little garden, a welcome message sends
Birds and insects are not afraid to roam
In Yvonne’s little eden they’ve found a home!

~ Liz Sammy-Chin ~

Sophia's Garden

Sophia’s house is next to mine
And a better neighbour will be hard to find
Her pretty garden is adjacent to my own
And in it, pretty flowers and green foliage she has grown

A grand old shady mango tree at the entrance stands
And pots of orchids from its branches hang
Caladium and impatiens ‘neath its shade grow
And red ixoras bursting in colours in a neat little row

To the left of the driveway, outside the fence
Periwinkles and bouganvilleas showing off beauty without pretence
While the slender exotic cannas join in the fun
The pink impatiens sit soaking up the sun

The anthurium, begonia and a palm all share
The shade of the roof and the cats laze there
To the back of the garden, another mango tree stands
Bearing juicy apple mangoes while its shade to the swing it lends

Below this a mother-in-law’s tongue grows in a pot
This is the ideal spot for it’s not so hot
Some more orchids their beauty boasts
And the birds love this area for no danger pose

Sophia’s garden shows her love for plants
Where the birds and bees and the butterflies dance
For in this garden they all feel free
A safe haven for insects and they all agree.


~ Liz Sammy-Chin ~

A Kindred Spirit....a dedication to my friend Celina

From young girls to teens and motherhood
Our friendship spanned through many years
She’s been a kindred spirit since childhood
She’s the one most remembered of all my peers

When our school days’ ended, we parted in ways
Entering adulthood was a worrying time
Not keeping in touch, there’s a price to pay
No more meeting up for no reason or rhyme

So then for years we were friends at heart but not in sight
We grew up, fell in love, got married and had a family
Too busy at work and at home, no time even to write
And so our friendship remained a memory entirely.

But as fate would have it, we’re neighbours now
No plans were made, contacts were lost for a long while
It was destiny for us to be together again
But she was always in thought though parted in miles

Though her name’s not mentioned I’m sure she will know
For friends in the true form I find them rare
That’s why in my heart, she fits the role
So my dear friend, when you read this, know that I care.

~ Liz Sammy-Chin ~