Myth

Myth

These days in your wake

There is a myth that you
Turned a fishing village
Into a modern garden city
When what you actually
Did was not to abandon,
But to believe when
no one does.

That is your single-mindedness.

=====

So it's pouring, in most parts of this washed new fishing village, and our hearts are like fishes leaping and wriggling in tiny pools of emotions. But more so near where the man,  now resting eternally, rises one last time, in his last hour's journey. In the rain, there is a quiet calm after the solemn music and shouts of "Lee Kwan Yew! Lee Kwan Yew!", while the cannons sounded their salutes. I heard a voice, though timidly faint, breaking forth from a restrained cry, "May the music continue."

The fishermen have a field day, in their new white uniforms, which used to be pristine.

A mother's (or specifically my mum's) wisdom: "He must be a smart man. Even on his passing, he is trying to "brain-wash" the new generations, teach them a thing or two about hardship in the heavy rain."   

I know, like this piece, life is filled with contradictions. Truth, in its very nature, is complicated. As with complexity, there are doubts, overlapping facts and myths.

P.S.: Now, I am beginning to think that it is some sort of artistic cheat codes to write about an important person's passing. Another myth?

Another passing I value: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/entertainment/swedish-nobel-literature/1748142.html

In memory of Tomas Transtromer, I am sharing again one of his work on this space:

A Winter Night (excerpt)

The storm puts its mouth to the house
and blows to get a tone.
I toss and turn, my closed eyes
reading the storm's text.

The child's eyes grow wide in the dark
and the storm howls for him.
Both love the swinging lamps;
both are halfway towards speech.

==

Nay, I would never write like that...

About the GSK's Bribery Scandal

Aftermath

At first the money rolls in
then his head rolls in
the after-math.

What math is this:

2 rolls don't
make 1 right?

Now how many more

heads roll? Exactly
110 to make 1
clean break.

Link: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/gsk-sacks-110-china-staff/1700548.html?cx_tag=trendall#cxrecs_s

雾锁南洋

PSI at 290: 雾锁南洋. Please stop finger-pointing and try to get the act together: whatever measures already put in place are obviously not working, looking at the increased hot spots.  

Dark Notes and Bright Notes

This is shocking:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/hundreds-of-pigs-dogs-die-in-chinese-cit/641748.html

Certainly, some big corporation must be behind it, given the monumentality of the task.

And if you are a regular runner, you would no doubt agree with me that terrorism has no place in mass run:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/us-zeroes-in-on-boston-pressure-cooker-b/641046.html

On a bright note, caught a performance of "Butterfly Lovers" at Esplanade, and an old passion has been re-ignited: got to go look for the violin concerto in my CD rack.

And this is truly great...


Sometimes, it is the small thing in life that makes a big difference.

Off-track

I reach out
and it aches,
not familiar
to this familiarity;
gone off-track;
these fingers are
not these fingers

- mrdes, 17 Apr 13

Somewhere between an awakened and a sub-conscious life, an image, or a motif filts...you reach out, and you are not you. The poem is more than this, of course, and I can't explain it.

March Poems

I think this is but an indication of a sick society: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/hundreds-join-anti/637752.html

On another note, wrote these in March 13:

evening

smell the green freshness

of the naked leaves shivering
in the brisk wind

taste the fading light

of twilight in my skin
while birds call out
their good-byes
like salt in bland soup

hear the train station's

circuitry like a siren rushes
through a listless street

suddenly rudder-less

the body is an empty boat
wading in a sea
of restless souls.

-------------

For Me To Know

You plant a smile
on my lips firmly - watch it
glow like a lightbulb.
In brightness I have nowhere
to hide, except in the hem
of a small crack of laugh,
my embarrassment
wrapped in enchantment
in the mere presence
of your words unfurled
stinging scarlet ears.

------------

Lead Actress

Drama unwraps in smallest degree
in this private audition
from the things he steal:
a glance, a smirk, a satisfaction
from the first person
to discover a buried treasure
unexpectedly; one can almost
see an arm arching across
the nape of her neck, another hand
shields her beautiful face
from the deepest sin
only he sees in the hungry
eyes of others squeezing in
for a last look-in,
as the curtain raises where
she is the lead actress on his stage,
or at least that's what he sees.

----------------------

Last Page

I sit near the end of your
pages as your words mumble
like river, the water cool
and sweet - the fruit
of my mind's labour. Yet
regret comes like 
a shadow to the fruit tree
jagged, blurry
which often occurs at
the end of journeys.

-----------------

The Aftermath

Was reading articles randomly online regarding the Punggol by-election, some interesting, some totally irrational or anti-PAP - I am against opposing for the sake of opposing. Interestingly, it came to me, from one or a sum of the articles, the multitude consequences of influx of cheap foreign labour. Of course, short-term wise, it may serve as the back-bone for a sudden economic bloom. But the long-term impacts are shattering. Firstly, companies lost the motivation for higher productivity, being over-reliant on cheap labour over time. This is almost irreversible, unless the government imposes minimum wages, which I am also against, and no, direct incentives (e.g. tax incentive) given to companies to improve productivity remain unattractive, hence ineffectual, given the very critical and natural drive of businesses for maximum profit (i.e. higher sale volume, or lowest cost), and simply, labour as a cost to business, has a bigger, immediate impact. Next, it has worsened the income gap between the rich and poor Singaporeans, as the rich gets richer faster, while the populace's average earning simply can't keep up. Naturally, the rich will drive up the cost of living (come now, the shops have eyes to see that the rich can pay more, hence are most willing to increase their price of goods and profit margin.), leaving the rest struggling. 

Suddenly, perhaps only to a layman like myself, imposing minimum wages doesn't seem such a bad idea in these extreme circumstances.

Music to My Ears

Just read this and it actually managed to top off last night's triumph.

Now, if that is not brilliant psychology, I don't know what is. I am thinking what the PM has to say to that. Probably nothing, except, "We have to work harder!", or something along that line. At the very least, that would be music to my ears.

WTF??

Was really dismayed reading this. He may as well shut up, as by saying AIM 'did not make any financial gains" from the transaction', in my view he has admitted the sale of the computer systems in question can only be politically-motivated: no one in the right mind would set up a company not to earn money. And we, the tax-payers, are the "pawns" in the white-shirted mens' political game: there is a conflict between a political party's interest and the country's interest . Many netizens, like me, who question Dr Teo's statements, are worthy and willing "political pawns" for the hammer's people, I think.

Oh, did I mention that the probe ordered by our PM is just a "wayang" show? To "satisfy itself"? My foot!

Sure, you go ahead and satisfy yourself!

In the Line of Fire

I really don't wish my first post for the year to be politically motivated. But seriously, even before I read Mr Tan Kin Lian's rather short article, I was already thinking: common sense tells me there is a conflict of interest. A party has to appear to be incorruptible to another reasonable person(s), being "clean" in reality is simply not enough. In other words, the party should not have put itself in such a situation and its integrity doubted even a shred. A pity Mr Alex Au has chosen to put himself in the line of fire. And she should have just kept quiet, let the storm pass. If it is here to stay, there is no hindering it.

May there be peace and calm in my land of birth.

News of the Week

He could have been jailed for 121 years, you know.

"I can't believe it! Another government official caught with his pants down!", that's how I started my SMS's reaction on ex-MP Michael Palmer's extramarital affair. Hands up who think there wasn't sex involved - it's like asking readers which of Pi's stories in the novel, "Life of Pi", he finds more plausible. I prefer the first, of course, but honestly, the second rings the bell of truth louder.

"Ah Boys to Men" broke the box-office record and has become the highest grossing Singapore film. I told you so, I told you so.

My beloved Lions soccer team is in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final. And I think we stand a chance to be crowned for the fourth time if we can defend as a unit over the two legs to keep clean sheets. I can't wait for the first leg tomorrow. My current favourite player: Isa Halim (jersey No. 4) - I watched him play for Home United where he can dominate the midfield completely and single-legged-ly, and he controlled the tempo to calm the Lion XII's players down when defending, or before launching another attack. And I've spotted another future Lions: Safirul Bin Sulaiman (Jersey No. 28); this lad packs a cultured left foot and can attack or defend - you heard it here first.

Now, this is sad, and I'd rather not talk about it. Perhaps it's time for US to re-think their stand on guns control.

Just Another Update

I thought I could advise Mr Ng Boon Gay on his court case. No, I am no lawyer. And who am I to advise a former CNB chief? But, seriously, it is as clear as day that he is putting his family through hell. And it doesn't take a judge to disbelieve his words in court. For starters, it's beyond me to imagine that he had no knowledge of the abbreviation of Ms Sue's company when he signed his authorisation. His lies, may I say so, are simply too glaring. And mind you, it is only when you have something to hide, that you lie. So as I read the news report online, I can't help but imagine the legion of unlawful affairs he keeps locked up in his astute mind. I have to said that it is just a matter of time before he trades his proud uniform for white shirt and blue shorts. Might as well just get it over with, don't you think?

Say, does having sex in a car save you from being caught? Any answer out there?

------

I watched a number of great films recently, though Cold War (寒戰) comes out top easily. Tony Leung Ka Fai's performance simply took my breath away and alone is worth the ticket price. Another was Skyfall. Hard to imagine that it was my first James Bond's movie. You wonder if you have walked into the wrong theatre: no babe, no gadget except for a James Bond's exclusive gun. But it has valuable assets like a great plot and relevance. Indeed, the greatest enemy that every nation now fears is the faceless terrorist that "hides in the shadow". The world of James Bond has to change, such are the progresses in the sexual revolution (such a primitive phrase, don't you think?) and technology. I must say that the director / script-writer (s) has updated the James Bond's tradition pretty nicely.

-----

Two good novels to recommend: "Life of Pi" (the big-screen adaptation by Lee Ang is highly anticipated) and Yoko Ogawa's charming "The Housekeeper and the Professor". I especially enjoyed the latter.     

Heaven or Hell

Cherubs

The most unlikely bodies to wings,
Then perhaps not, those gifts of heaven,
Creatures of dreams, innocence of
A clean-bright soul flapping,
Sit on wheels, lamps for eyes,
Visiting our world for the first time,
Hands and legs running all around,
Speaking their own language.

- mrdes, 25 Sep 12, Saturday.

I was thinking of babies on wheels when I wrote this, thinking of how the heart seems to be filled with a pure joy every time I see one of them around, their innocence flapping, and I can relate them easily with cherubs.

It seems like sex is permanently in the news nowadays, most notable was the ASEAN Scholar (9 A1s, wow!) and his not-so-sexy girlfriend, or fuck buddy, or whatever. Then, there was the second case of a female teacher having a sexual relationship with her 15 years old student. I don't know what all this means, perhaps, we all love sensationalised news, and the media is pouring out what we love. Perhaps, nowadays, there is nothing news-worthy in our little island, and we all need a little "excitement". Perhaps, it is all a conspiracy to, you know, blunt the political savvy of our innocent citizens. Alright, "innocent" is not the right word here, I fully agree. Material greed in term of sexual gratification is but a sign of a society submerged in monetary strength, but ultimately, morally inept. It's a trade-off, I think.

And Earth is either a heaven or a hell, in our eyes only. But when I look into those cherubic babies's eyes, I always see heaven.

About the Self-Ordained Guru of Poetry, Cantonese Rock, Among Other Things

It seems like a long time since my last post. A few things in mind, apart from the normal stuff like fellatio, and more fellatio, of course.

On my reading front, I am savouring some of Alvin Pang's poems from"Other Things and Other Poems" and having some good laughs at Yann Martel's at times roaringly humorous "Life of Pi".

In the End
(an epitaph)

the things we love give back
our names. One handed me a
plain stone to carve into something
better. Another returned  the long
lost user guide to my left brain.
Someone passed a slip of paper,
my inscrutable handwriting
on one side, and on the other
in bright colours, the words
"I Want It All". Others brought
flowers - irises, daffodiles,
the soft unpeeled heart of a rose.
None of the clothes fit any longer.
I put aside the books I'd read,
and hadn't read, they took flight
as endless stairs, circling
beyond my years. But I loved
most of all the quiet Sundays, when fingers of rain
would write themselves
on the clear page of my window,
dying to tell me their stories.

- Alvin Pang

I must have mentioned before how a poem is like a words puzzle to me. The poet would put a mass of simple words together -  some are of the most unlikely matches - and a new meaning, most original, is born. Poetry is all about figurative writing or speech, depending on how you see it - I have to constantly remind myself of this while reading.

Just attended "The Guinness Arthur's Day Concert" despite not being a drinker, but doubt anyone has been banned from the concert for not being there to celebrate such a special day. But Paul Wong was awesome. I mean really, really awesome:



Alright, now for the juicy portion: now, now, I am really, really disappointed in you as the star witness for the prosecution, Ms Cecilia Sue. Those SMS that you claimed to have sent by mistake have done you in, really. I think you are going down with your "lover", after going down on him. Oh, of course, you know who I am talking about

An Idle Mind's Ramble

Now I am in a rambling mood...

Sometimes, the most unfortunate way to treat a person is to take it  that he or she doesn't even exist. Take this guy, Mr Chris Reed. He complained that local cabbies are the worst lot, and questioned, for example, 'why does the "change shift" sign give taxi drivers the right not to pick people up?' Say, which part of "change shift" does he not understand? I can't understand how he can't empathise with a taxi hirer or relief rushing to a meeting point to hand over his cab on time. His "main gripe is that cab drivers here do not know their way around the city". I say, look around you, and at the street directory online, you will realise soon enough that though Singapore is a small place, roads are often changing and new buildings spring up of nowhere. Having said that, in all my years of living here, I've seldom met a caddy who doesn't know his way; the rare occasion is when the cabby is new, which is again, understandable. Blame the taxi company then, if you want, not the cabby, for letting him learn on the job. I say, most probably a cabby would have asked Mr Chris for his preferred route, if only to avoid being accused of taking a longer one. And I've myself once accused a new cabby for doing so, only to realise later that I had asked him to take me to Building A, when in my mind I had expected him to drop me at Building B, which in my experience most cabbies will, and is at a road opposite Building A.

And about cabs that do take "card" accepting only cash, honestly, how often does that happen? Haven't heard of Seven-Eleven store's Nets machine being down? I think I have encountered the latter more often. Alright, I've to admit that I don't take cab that often, but I have been living in Singapore for thirty over years, while Mr Chris has been here all of three years. Now, that ought to count in my favour.
----------------

Recently, after the National Day's public holiday, back at the office, some colleagues from another section were commenting aloud how LKY looked so "handsome", "glowingly healthy" (yes, those were their exact words), even "more so than his junior". Honestly, I almost puked secretly. Not that I have anything against LKY - there must be good reasons for his staying power in our political arena, no matter how you look at it, specially considering how politic really is dirty business. So when I happened to be wearing a blue shirt today, and some of them burst out alleging that I am a supporter of the Workers' Party, I jokingly refuted by saying, "No. I am actually a supporter of Nicole Seah". When some of them asked:"She is from which party huh?", I took a clumsy pause before replying, as it wasn't even in my mind. After whispering among themselves, they realised that she is notorious for her beauty and youth as a politician, took the drift and sneered in mock contempt at me, "a lusty uncle".

P.S.: I once called you-know-who a "cunning old fox" before this colleague who is something of a fanatic, and she gave me a death glare which I'd never forget.

My Olympic Dream

My Olympic Dream

Disbelief buried under
Heavy relief and stumbling tears.
Heaving sacrifices upon dream
I sit atop the wind
Now! The glittering flag on
My shirt flaps lips-stamped,
Sends a raising love letter
To the wild crowd,
Writes everyone into one
Dream broken
Into reality.

P.S.: I guess that about sums up what I have been up to recently. And of course, been to the Art House for free movies at its event, "But is the book better?" - more interesting movies coming up in August...

Just a Few Words

Just a few words on the Kong Hee vs CAD saga (yup, it is going to be one long saga...). What I learned about human nature: 1) everyone loves a "fall from grace" story, the higher ground (in this case, he has it all, loads of money, great career, luxury house...) he falls from, and the harder he falls (what, he is looking at 20 years in jail?), the better. 2) everyone has a tendency to say "I told you so..." on hindsight, or in my other words, "kicks a dying kitten". 3) There must be something really wrong with the criminal system in our country to allow him to do what he did for so long (that is, assuming he really did what the CAD said).

Now, what I am truly worried about: having a large group of people coming together in a single mind and belief; the call of conflict. What our Home Affairs Minister, DPM Teo Chee Hean, said at the beginning is sound advice:

'I would like to stress that the charges filed by CAD are against five individuals from the City Harvest Church (CHC) regarding the use of Church funds. They are not filed against CHC itself. The CHC is free to continue its church services and activities.'

But this few good lines were left undone by these words: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1210511/1/.html

No offence intended. But from a by-stander's point of view, the pastor or pastors have slim or no concern at all for the mental well-being  of CHC's congregation, who are the only proven victims at this point of time, putting CHC in the line of fire. The lines have blurred between Kong Kee and CHC, between the pastors' support for Kong Hee and each individual worshipper's thought, which should be respected and entitled to, not brazenly stolen or misrepresented by religion.

Outside JRL* / Random Thoughts

Outside JRL*

Perhaps unfettered
From cagey books,
Civility borrowed
From the library
He exits, the boy
Throws his wing-spanned
Hands to heaven like birds,
Knee-fists punching air
In succession, as if in
A ritual dance of worship
For his release. And I to
Myself, “hey, kid, the library
Is no zoo to monkey! Neither
Is this jungle yours!”

- mrdes, 11 Feb 12

*Jurong Regional Library

--------

Just heard today of Whitney Houston's death at the age of 48. I have to ask what is this relation between drug and pop superstars. A substitute for the high they feel on stage, in view of life's emptiness or mundanities off it?

Liverpool sucked big time, I thought, while the Lion XII soared. Anuar Sufian showed agression and determination of steel; while Baihakki and Safuwan, as usual, were in total control, and this borne well for the national team.

I say, the populace must be dying to know the name of the school which the principal involved in the vice ring belonged to.

From One to Another

Untitled

I shut my door to outside
world, it replies with silence

familiar hence comforting
like morning's bird songs,

and the inked heart
slips out of its cage

a little afraid,
then sings along

like chance meeting
of old friends.

----------------

CNY is at our doorstep. Time to look back? A boy in a Superman's suit flew by, fishing a $10 note from his poor father's rumpled palm to buy his favourite food from Uncle McDonald - that is, if he is here, or does he even exist? Nevermind.

Digression sufficed. We are made, hence live on beliefs. Such thin ices. The world will not end tomorrow; that is what we think. Moral and value corrosion - an-old-man's-weary-world speaks. Yet, mind you, I am no old man. Just feel so - every now and then...a door opens, and words inundate. Like chance meeting of old friends.

Say, is a prolonged sigh at this age a sign of sanity? Or what about feeling like a society outcast? Perhaps neither. Perhaps, one is where there is unfettered expression of one's soul. Art, poetry et cetera, or sports, are different channels. In poetry, you scrutinise your own mental movements; in sports, your physical ones. You are made more aware of your existence.

--------------

Nothingness

Feather-weighed,
Time-heavy
Nothingness moulded
Repetitively in the mind
Never stays, flees
Along lines of logic,
Leaving no trace.

It's nothing, really.
Let's see.

There are old dust
Which turn golden
In retrospect.

There are dark shadows
Crouching in doubt
From stealing light.

Only time moves on
And on, but nothing
Changes, really.

-------------------

Say, how does one mould nothingness? It's all in the mind. Poetry is beautiful, but ultimately, pointless...

I forgot my yearly book/poetry review this year completely...

mrdes's recommendation

1. The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto (The author is clearly in her element, deploying a deceptively simple use of language to lay out love and emotions in all their complications.)

2. The Shadow of Sirius by W.S. Merwin

3. They Speak Only Our Mother Tongue by Theophilus Kwek (This is a period of poems of a local flavour - a passing fancy?)

4. The Trial by Franz Kafka (A satisfying journey into a dream-like landscape sculptured by crafty language usage as words are colours for an eerie portrait of society in Kafka's hand)

5. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

6. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

7. Moving Words 2011: A Poetry Anthology (Some of the poems here are just so right on the spot.)

-end-

I guess the list is kind of short. There are others, though for one reason or another, just couldn't sit with me: Leonard's This Mortal World (some of the poems here are just great; may just pick this up again), Damon Chua's Traveler's Tale And Other Poems (some of the images are just too abstract for me unfortunately).

Last, but not least, go watch "The Great Magician" if you haven't - the narrative is just delightful.

And of course, a very happy CNY to all!

In the News: On SMRT and a Poem

Will start my post with a poem by a certain Mr Gan See Siong (presumably male, judging from his below piece) from the Moving Words collection (a great initiative by NAC and SMRT!)

You Need Me

"You like to enter me in the wee hours of morning
That part of yours in protective sheath
And go romping with me
Three to four times a week.

A gentle man you are not
For without warning you would spread me wide
To accommodate the full extent of you.

You strapped me up
With those dexterous fingers
So close I can see your grim determination
The even rise and fall of your chest.

And just like that
You would head me
Down the pleasure road
Growing all hot and hard in me.

If only you knew how I long for these sessions,
They are the reason why I even exist," said the pair of running shoes.

---------

As a matter of fact, it's not lost on me that I need her, more than she me. You see, I have been out of action, or rather not "romping", for the past 3 weeks due to persistent flu, cough, fever followed by giddy spells, to much extend that my GP has no idea what's causing my calamitous failing of health and recommended the hospital. Initial diagnosis suggested ear infection. On retrospection, I narrowed two possible events that may have started the chain, which I rather not elaborate further than to add that one has something to do with a loud crack in the sky during a nice walk at Punggol waterway followed by a cold, soaked body and a few good fishermen.

The good news is I have now recovered sufficiently for a short 15 minutes run against the advice of the hospital pending my next appointment.

On another front, the subject everyone is talking about (presumably so, judging by the readers' letters to Strait's Time).

In my opinion, perhaps, certain functions in our small tiny dot may not be suitable for privatisation. Public transport being one of them due to the small size of our population and land: a small gitch would be a big disaster (lucky, no life was lost). And for the same reason, privatisation in this instance does not promote competition.

The cold fact is that the populace has no alternative here - if you need to go somewhere, you will have to take the bus or train, otherwise pay more for taxi, but considering the recent hike? - and hence is at SMRT's mercy. And stop comparing SMRT to London tube: our rail simply isn't as complex or long; their system has been built over a long time and can afford alternative routes, we just remained trapped in the system. Having said that, I am sure that no public transport system (owned by the public, funded by tax payers' money) would have allowed passengers to be left in airless darkness, not knowing when the ordeal will end.

Just read this: http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/12/what-has-gone-wrong-with-smrt-lta-and-the-entire-system/

Alas! All are but to no avail, SMRT and SBS are just "contracted" to operate and maintain the train system etc. LTA is the owner of the infrastructure bulit using taxpayers' money! So I guess in the meantime, I will just have to bring a hammer to work in case the MRT window needs breaking...

SMRT's Ms Saw is looking more and more like the scapegoat...she might as well grow a beard...

Happy going back to work tomorrow...with a hammer, that is...