In that Paradise

By Fiada Kede

First place World Environment Day Poetry

My name is Fiada Kede. I’m from Eastern Highlands Province currently residing in Port Moresby.

I love reading poems. What I love about poems is the way the ordinary things are expressed in an extraordinary way. When I read poems, it gives me a new sense of seeing things.

When I first saw the flyer of the mini-poetry competition I thought I was not eligible for the competition since I ‘m not a student or in that age category for that matter. But then, I realize that what’s important is not our age or eligibility. What’s important is expressing our thoughts and views freely when it comes to this kind of topic/issues as it affects all of us irrespective of who we are or what we do.

I thank Ples Singsing for the creating the platform where Papua New Guineans can unleash their potential and develop their creativity.

In that Paradise

As free as the wind
No zoo, never confined
Paradise birds take flight
Without plight
In that Paradise

As clear as the crystal
Unblighted, bountiful and admiral
Were the oceans
Teeming with billions
In that Paradise

As thick as the clouds
Enshrouded with un-numbered crowds
Were the forest
Untouched from the rest
In that Paradise

Oh alas! As dumb as the numb
Was she, till the oceans blighted with scum
In the name of development
He threw his environment in devolvement
Of that Paradise

Oh Arise! As tall as the tree-stand tall
Dear compatriots, for tis our call
To manage, nurture and protect
To replant, recycle and reuse- that never neglect
For that paradise

Em Maikel Dom emi tanim Tok Pisin

Long dispela Paradise

Emi stap free olsem win
Nogat zoo, ino bin kalabus
Paradise pisin ikirap
Inogat hevi
Long dispela Paradise

Olsem glas bilong wara
Nogat mosong, karim na mangal
Em ol solwara
I pulap na pulap turu
Long dispela Paradise

Emi paspas olsem klaut
Na karamapim giraun olsem bikpela kibung
Em bus ibin istap
Taim nogat wanpela han i holim
Long dispela Paradise

Oh sore! Mauspas olsem ston
Em meri iet, igo inap pipia pulapim solwara 
Na developmen emi as bilong en
Em man iet i bagarapim giraun long development
Bilong dispela Paradise

Olgeta kirap! Sanap olsem diwai igo antap
Ol gutpela poro, em singaut ikam long yumi
Long lukautim, kamapim, na putim was
Long kirapim bek, givim igo bek gen na gen – inoken lusim nating gen
Dispela paradise