by Colin W. Campbell

secrets of the deep
timeless seas at santubong
tell us your story

waves at santubong
fresh from the south china sea
rest now on the shore

worries far away
way down at santubong suites
I watch the tides change

tide now goes far out
seas change at santubong suites
sand sleeps in the sun

santubong mangroves
guardians of the shoreline
live between two worlds

washed by timeless waves
mangroves down by santubong
toes deep in the sand

go and you’ll be missed
stay down here at santubong
mangrove in the mist

wind hides in the trees
of santubong rainforest
far from human eyes

quiet now at damai
clouds watch old mount santubong
reach up to the sky

santubong sun sets
as the last dreams of the day
slip into the sea

Authors Note:

SANTUBONG HAIKU

These pieces were written at Santubong Suites on the South China Sea not far from the charming, modern capital of the east Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

Notes on public reading:

Secrets of the deep was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007 and at Yunnan University, March 2011
Waves at Santubong was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007 and at Yunnan University, March 2011.
Worries far away was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007.
Tide goes far out was read on Radio Sarawak on Feb 2009.
Santubong mangroves was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007 and at Yunnan University, March 2011.
Washed by timeless waves was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007.
Go and you’ll be missed was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007 and at Yunnan University, April 2011.
Wind hides in the trees was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007 and at Yunnan University, March 2011.
Quiet now at Damai was read on Radio Sarawak on Nov 2007.
Santubong sun sets was read on Radio Sarawak on Feb 2009 and at Yunnan University, April 2011.