Poetry has a unique power to capture the essence of a culture, and in Singapore, it has played a pivotal role in shaping our national identity. Born from profound experiences and powerful emotions, our passionate local poets have chronicled our nation’s journey, reflecting our diverse heritage, struggles, and triumphs.
5 iconic poems by Singaporean poets that shaped our literary arts scene
Their poems serve as cultural touchstones, providing a window into our past, preserving our unique traditions, celebrating our multicultural tapestry, and giving a voice to the collective experiences of our people.
With National Bad Poetry Day falling on 18 Aug and our tongue firmly in cheek, Catch decided to flip the script and instead celebrate some of the most acclaimed poems by renowned local poets.
We believe that these works have immortalised the Singaporean spirit and cemented their place as local literary icons. While there are countless hidden gems still waiting to be discovered, let’s delve into these five particular poems that have left an indelible mark on this writer.
1. ‘The Sneeze’ by Edwin Thumboo
Edwin Thumboo, widely regarded as a pioneer of English literature in Singapore and winner of the Cultural Medallion in 1979, crafts poetry that often serves as a form of historical documentation, capturing the everyday moments in early Singapore and its rapidly evolving landscape.
His works are often descriptive, letting the reader imagine being in old Singapore and experiencing the diverse sights and sounds first-hand. His poem below titled ‘The Sneeze’ depicts the bustling hawker scene along Hock Lam Street in the 1950s.
Even if you haven’t lived through pre-independence Singapore, Edwin’s poem nevertheless offers a connection. His verses suggest that despite the sweeping changes of globalisation, our local culture remains as vibrant as ever.
That being said, Edwin's work demonstrates how poetry can bridge generations, weaving the past and present into a shared tapestry even in our fast-paced world. Rightfully, his book was selected by the National University of Singapore Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences as one of 85 Landmark Books, and lives on as a classic in our literary arts scene.
2. ‘I should leave you I know’ by Pooja Nansi
Pooja Nansi’s debut poetry collection ‘Stiletto Scars’, published in 2007 at the Singapore Writers Festival, peels back the layers of tradition, family, and identity amidst Singapore advancements. While Edwin focuses on vividly describing common local scenarios, Pooja often injects her personal experiences and emotions, and plays around with form so that her poems look visually appealing.
Her poem below titled ‘I should leave you I know’, which she revised 16 years after it was published, is a great representation of her eagerness to explore new styles and space beyond the traditional stanzas.
This poem resonates because of the way it breaks the monotony through its typographical disorder, symbolic of her disorientation. Besides, who doesn’t love a relatable breakup poem?
Pooja’s creative works led her to be chosen as the director of Singapore Writers Festival from 2019 to 2023, where she continually breaks the boundaries of literature while sparking open conversations among rising and seasoned poets.
3. ‘Dragonflies’ by Yong Shu Hoong
As a Computer Science graduate, Shu Hoong’s background might seem far removed from the world of poetry, yet it is precisely this blend of technical discipline and personal reflection that makes his work so authentic. His poems, often dictated by his intimate encounters with the environment around him, resonate deeply because they emerge from a place of genuine emotion and lived experience.
His poem below titled ‘Dragonflies’ is the introductory excerpt in ‘The Viewing Party’. The book features prose poems and micro fiction of exactly 100 words each, and annotated excerpts from an abandoned work.
What makes this particular poem stand out is the association with a popular Asian folklore that the deceased reincarnate as dragonflies – a folklore that this writer’s mother shared years ago. With such nostalgic poems, it’s no wonder that this book won the 2014 Singapore Literature Prize for English Poetry.
Now, Shu Hoong steps up as the director of the Singapore Writers Festival 2024, where he aims to make literature more accessible to the masses.
4. ‘Other National Virtues’ by Gwee Li Sui
The 1998 edition of the book ‘Who Wants to Buy a Book of Poems?’ is a significantly trimmed version of fun-loving poet Gwee Li Sui’s original manuscript. Some of the poems that got removed were considered provocative for its time as they boldly teased our Singaporean culture.
In 2015, however, Li Sui decided that the people were ready for his distinctive voice, and decided to publish an expanded version called ‘Who Wants to Buy an Expanded Edition of a Book of Poems?’ where he reinstated some of his original material. Below is one of the satirical poems in his newer edition, titled ‘Other National Virtues’.
We deeply admire writers who skillfully push boundaries, and Li Sui is a prime example with his thought-provoking poem. His work serves as a powerful reminder to stay authentic while navigating the delicate balance of tact and timing, especially in today’s era of cancel culture. Li Sui’s poetry encourages us to speak our truths with grace and courage, making his voice an essential one in our literary arts landscape.
His poems also serve as a stepping stone for emerging young poets, offering them a beacon of inspiration and a model for honest self-expression.
5. ‘conversaytion’ by Joshua Ip
Singapore is a diverse tapestry of races, religions, and cultures with one unifying thread that binds us all – our beloved, colourful, expressive local dialect Singlish. Joshua Ip, co-founder of Sing Lit Station, captures this unique linguistic blend in his 2012 book, ‘Sonnets from the Singlish’.
This collection of 44 sonnets masterfully intertwines humour and cultural commentary with a distinctly Singaporean flair, each adhering to the traditional structure of fourteen lines and ten syllables per line. Among them, the poem 'conversaytion' stands out as a remarkable example of how Singlish elegantly merges with the literary arts form, resulting in a vibrant portrayal of Singapore's linguistic identity.
Unless you’re familiar with this uniquely Singaporean language, this dialogue might seem completely outrageous. But for the native Singlish speaker, every fragment of this ‘broken English’ made the poem all the more hilarious and enjoyable. It’s reminiscent of the many exchanges with this writer’s family, friends and neighbours, and the playful banter of young boys at HDB void decks. This poem definitely hits close to home, and is what makes it all the more effective.
Through its embrace of local tongue, this poem not only shapes Singapore's literary scene but also underscores the rich, relatable experiences that Singlish captures, rendering it both meaningful and memorable.
If you’re eager to dive deeper into the world of local poetry, be sure to explore platforms like Sing Lit Station, visit bookstores like Ethos Books and Epigram Books, or catch any of the literary events on Catch. These treasure troves are brimming with the rich tapestry of Singapore's literary scene, allowing the voices and stories that define our distinctive culture to shine. Happy reading!
Remember to keep a lookout on Catch for the first look of Singapore Writers Festival 2024.
Image credits: poetry.sg, Jon Gresham, Pngtree, Epigram Books, NUS Digital Libraries, Ethos Books, Gweek Culture, The Book Jacket, Goodreads, Joshua Ip.
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