What do we do with light
We snatch light from the jaws of darkness, only to find it wet – and salty. Do we recoil in fear now, or grasp it tighter; snuff it out now, or blow it brighter?
Category: Poetry
What’s in a silence?
a bated breath; a pin not yet dropped; a gasp unreleased; a moment frozen in time, suspended before noise. a cry suppressed; a call unheard; a crumpled figure; a doubt, for you are a figment of your imagination. a peaceful content; a soothing caress; a grin, a wink, a pout; an empty moment filled, with… Continue reading What’s in a silence?
spiderwebs and toasted nuts
today as cashews and walnuts and pine nuts and seeds lay still on the warming pan I sat and wondered at an earth which shone and rained – at once – at the spider whose web hung in fragile existence between a window and its sill a futile folly to keep them together a foolish… Continue reading spiderwebs and toasted nuts
outrun a shadow
how do you outrun a shadow? if it seeps like ink, or sticks like tar into and onto your skin rip it and bleed the dark away and of the bitterness in the back of your throat? outrunning a shadow might be easier
Day #15: Markets
15th April Prompt: Write a poem about markets. Nose crinkled, she wades through wet fish; haggling housewives into Sainsbury’s. The scornful disdain of local culture in favour of The West. Yet it is but ignorant worship – Sains is just an ordinary supermarket, no worthier of your starry eyes than your neighbourhood NTUC.
Day #14: Singlish
14th April Prompt: Write a poem in Singlish. Aiyyo why do this My bad English cmi Liddat can anot? Good Friday; Bad English; Gooder English
Day #11: Birth
11th April Prompt: Write a poem about the literal meanings of the month and day you were born in, in other languages. What month were you born in the Muslim calendar? Write a poem based on the literal meaning of this month. (e.g. Muharram=forbidden) https://www.islamicfinder.org/islamic-date-converter/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calendar#Months… What day of the week were you born? Incorporate… Continue reading Day #11: Birth
Day #10: Kurai
10th April Prompt: Write a kural / க்குறள். The kural (plural: kuralgar) is an ancient form of Tamil poetry, but it’s still widely used today, even in Singapore, especially among traditionalist poets. Each kural consists of just two lines. The first line has four words, and the second line has three words. Kuralgar are usually… Continue reading Day #10: Kurai
Day #9: Celestial
9th April Prompt: In your poem, mention at least one celestial body in the solar system. single light on earth outshines dozens in the sky does anyone care Not sure if this counts but am just so busy. /Edit: Actually, anything counts in poetry. So there.
Day #8: Pantun
8th April Prompt: Write a pantun. The pantun is a Malay poetic form that dates back to the 1400s. You may have heard some before—the national song “Di Tanjong Katong” is one. They’re difficult, but it’s the weekend, and it’s our heritage, so suck it up. Poetic form (more info here): 1) Usually, a pantun… Continue reading Day #8: Pantun
the poetry convergence 