i bring my kiasu friend to the airportleavings are never easy, not for longand though we both saw blur along the waymemories flooded present tensions.in the curry of his life no lemak remainedso now the predictable exit signalledthe end of his roundings, his bombings–he can bluff like hell, ma, he got style–and left me thinking about home, my kampong.

~ Kirpal Singh

Kirpal Singh Home Kampong Kirpal Singh Leaving Poem Poet Poetry Singapore Pioneer Poet Singapore Poetry Village

OnceThere was a quiet island,With a name.You must believe me When I say that sunlight, Impure but beautiful, Broke upon the bay, silveredThe unrepentant, burning moon.

~ Edwin Thumboo

Edwin Thumboo Edwin Thumboo Poem Poet Poetry Singapore Singapore Pioneer Poet Singapore Poet

Beneath it allI kept faith with Ithaca, travelled,Travelled and travelled,Suffering much, enjoying a little;Met strange people singingNew myths; made myths myself.But this lion of the seaSalt-maned, scaly, wondrous of tail,Touched with power, insistentOn this brief promontory...Puzzles.

~ Edwin Thumboo

Edwin Thumboo Edwin Thumboo Merlion Poem Poet Poetry Singapore Singapore Pioneer Poet Singapore Poet Ulysses