Given a task
by my teacher
To look at my
surroundings
and jot them down.
I stood there blankly looking at everyone
cos my mind is confused
But, I was surprised
by my friends who
had already started.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Canteen Observation
From far above they look like red ants,
Running and crowding to get their meal.
Getting to the place as soon as they can,
Squeezing themselves in the blazing land.
Tables groaning,
Chairs squeaking.
Munching and giggling,
Cutlery clanking.
Strolling and blocking other's way.
Dragging feet with tired faces.
Crowded at a corner,
Punching messages on the overworked phone.
The atmosphere seems so wild
Smell of meat being fried
Once everyone left,
The place is in empty silence.
Running and crowding to get their meal.
Getting to the place as soon as they can,
Squeezing themselves in the blazing land.
Tables groaning,
Chairs squeaking.
Munching and giggling,
Cutlery clanking.
Strolling and blocking other's way.
Dragging feet with tired faces.
Crowded at a corner,
Punching messages on the overworked phone.
The atmosphere seems so wild
Smell of meat being fried
Once everyone left,
The place is in empty silence.
They...
As we ventured through
The long journey down
Groups were shattered all over
They started looking and staring
Who are they?
Dressed in bright red uniforms
They started to voice opinions
In different languages, dialect
Malay, Mandarin and more
We
Yes, We
Were no different from 'they'
Dressed in red, speaking different languages
More similarities than difference between
Yes, We
We
They
Yes, They
Friends or Foe?
Hiding their true colours away from us
Friendly yet suspicious
Yes, They
They
The long journey down
Groups were shattered all over
They started looking and staring
Who are they?
Dressed in bright red uniforms
They started to voice opinions
In different languages, dialect
Malay, Mandarin and more
We
Yes, We
Were no different from 'they'
Dressed in red, speaking different languages
More similarities than difference between
Yes, We
We
They
Yes, They
Friends or Foe?
Hiding their true colours away from us
Friendly yet suspicious
Yes, They
They
Recess
Ring ring the bell rang
finally is their reveal time
where they get access to their world of freedom.
The live of laughter
and the rise in number,
Its a place where it no longer use to be.
Suddenly a bird flew down.
when the lesson is over,
Ring ring the bell rang.
REACTION
Students queuing up for food,
True colours began to reveal.
Air fills with rowdy voices,
Voices as loud as microphones!
Suddenly DM came walking by,
Became the centre of attention,
After minutes of gobbling Junks,
They began crashing their plates.
Leaving behind pieces of crumbs,
Then there's an eerie silence'
After spilt seconds of reaction,
Birds began springing to life!
True colours began to reveal.
Air fills with rowdy voices,
Voices as loud as microphones!
Suddenly DM came walking by,
Became the centre of attention,
After minutes of gobbling Junks,
They began crashing their plates.
Leaving behind pieces of crumbs,
Then there's an eerie silence'
After spilt seconds of reaction,
Birds began springing to life!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Canteen's Observations:)
Rushing through
homework
food, people
Everything
People come and go
like the bell
that tells them to do so
the occasional carelessness
wetted the table
with a puddle
of water
Multi-tasking as they eat
messaging
music
Anything
the bell rings
Again
phones, plates, everything
are all kept
the place becomes silent
yet again
waiting for the next crowd
again
homework
food, people
Everything
People come and go
like the bell
that tells them to do so
the occasional carelessness
wetted the table
with a puddle
of water
Multi-tasking as they eat
messaging
music
Anything
the bell rings
Again
phones, plates, everything
are all kept
the place becomes silent
yet again
waiting for the next crowd
again
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Canteen Observation
"RECESS!"
A half day in school has past
Student came crashing down to the canteen,
Gobbling down their food like a hungry ghost.
Smiles and laughter
Each and everyone has a story to share
Taking their turns
A half day in school has past
Stirring kopi,
Enjoying the taste.
Birds chirping,
Singing.
Even they have a story to share.
*******
Just like Annie, this feels so weird!
A half day in school has past
Student came crashing down to the canteen,
Gobbling down their food like a hungry ghost.
Smiles and laughter
Each and everyone has a story to share
Taking their turns
A half day in school has past
Stirring kopi,
Enjoying the taste.
Birds chirping,
Singing.
Even they have a story to share.
*******
Just like Annie, this feels so weird!
People Watching
People watching
An undecipherable roar, drowns out
Sounds of voice—
Groups and loners crowd around.
Mixing; mismatching.
My eyes only see, the dull red,
Swirling, twirling and making way—
For figures of personality…
Shyness and arrogance part of it all.
And then a little more…making way for,
Cool guys and not so girls,
Wannabes of fashionable,
Is sometimes a sight to see.
Discussions and silence creates a contrast
Between tables,
For good days and bad days, though—
There is never a total silent day.
Missing words in Chinese fills out
The ones in English,
A colorful mix, I must say.
Sometimes a glimpse of subtle
Flirting… shy smiles and distracted eyes.
Watching…a spill!
And then
'So unglam!' Was said.
Silence commemorated frantic last minute
Studying…shhh! Be quiet! I'm trying to see!
And then those mindless chatting, gossip
Weather reports and trashy news,
All drift through the wind.
Shift, shift…it's getting softer…
An undecipherable roar, drowns out
Sounds of voice—
Groups and loners crowd around.
Mixing; mismatching.
My eyes only see, the dull red,
Swirling, twirling and making way—
For figures of personality…
Shyness and arrogance part of it all.
And then a little more…making way for,
Cool guys and not so girls,
Wannabes of fashionable,
Is sometimes a sight to see.
Discussions and silence creates a contrast
Between tables,
For good days and bad days, though—
There is never a total silent day.
Missing words in Chinese fills out
The ones in English,
A colorful mix, I must say.
Sometimes a glimpse of subtle
Flirting… shy smiles and distracted eyes.
Watching…a spill!
And then
'So unglam!' Was said.
Silence commemorated frantic last minute
Studying…shhh! Be quiet! I'm trying to see!
And then those mindless chatting, gossip
Weather reports and trashy news,
All drift through the wind.
Shift, shift…it's getting softer…
Canteen Observation
As the bell rang by,
Sea of students rushing to the counters,
Clanking of plates and bowls could be heard,
Deafening the ears of the others.
While they strutted out of the canteen,
Vast of silence creeping in,
Telling, that its time to leave.
Thus we, sensing the draught of endless waiting.
The remaining seems to be chattering,
Gobbling down their food whilst smiling.
Colossal amount of food,
Disrupting the eyes of the seekers.
Pieces of leftovers marks the end,
As more people fade away from our sight.
Birds flapping their wings,
To sail a flight.
As time goes by, more seemed to clear away
Once again, the tone piped down,
Restoring the actual tranquility of sound.
Hushhh…
Sea of students rushing to the counters,
Clanking of plates and bowls could be heard,
Deafening the ears of the others.
While they strutted out of the canteen,
Vast of silence creeping in,
Telling, that its time to leave.
Thus we, sensing the draught of endless waiting.
The remaining seems to be chattering,
Gobbling down their food whilst smiling.
Colossal amount of food,
Disrupting the eyes of the seekers.
Pieces of leftovers marks the end,
As more people fade away from our sight.
Birds flapping their wings,
To sail a flight.
As time goes by, more seemed to clear away
Once again, the tone piped down,
Restoring the actual tranquility of sound.
Hushhh…
(A Valentine Special) Seize the day!
Mumblings and chattering seemed distant
Followed by a series of laughter and smacking sounds on each other shoulders
But some chose not to show
Being alone is what's best
The red sea waves came and go
Frowning or smiling seemed common
The long queues seemed endless
Patience, my friend
The warm weather seemed to choke
Where beads of perspiration trickled down their necks
Tiring faces
Hidden feelings of dread was evident in their speech
Munching
Gobbling
Humongous appetites
Bad habits undisclosed
As the constant ringing was heard
Buzzing off as quick as lightning
Disappearing like a whoosh
Emptiness could be felt instantly
-Azyan Shakespeare
Followed by a series of laughter and smacking sounds on each other shoulders
But some chose not to show
Being alone is what's best
The red sea waves came and go
Frowning or smiling seemed common
The long queues seemed endless
Patience, my friend
The warm weather seemed to choke
Where beads of perspiration trickled down their necks
Tiring faces
Hidden feelings of dread was evident in their speech
Munching
Gobbling
Humongous appetites
Bad habits undisclosed
As the constant ringing was heard
Buzzing off as quick as lightning
Disappearing like a whoosh
Emptiness could be felt instantly
-Azyan Shakespeare
Students running,
Students screaming.
Students talking,
Students eating.
What's the difference?
Between break time and lessons.
Hmm, I wonder.
Laughter during break time,
Silence during lessons.
What makes them shy to speak up?
Canteen and classrooms.
What's the difference?
Aren't they a room with 4 walls too?
--
Sorry if it's a little weird.
It's my first time (?) writing a poem :X
Students screaming.
Students talking,
Students eating.
What's the difference?
Between break time and lessons.
Hmm, I wonder.
Laughter during break time,
Silence during lessons.
What makes them shy to speak up?
Canteen and classrooms.
What's the difference?
Aren't they a room with 4 walls too?
--
Sorry if it's a little weird.
It's my first time (?) writing a poem :X
The bell rang
and the next moment,
the canteen was flooded
with a sea of red.
Students and teachers gathered
with their clique,
chatting and laughing away
without any language barriers.
It was a rare sight to come upon
students rushing the pen on their scripts.
For once a day we saw,
smiles on the usual strict teachers' faces.
As time passes by,
the red slowly recedes.
For it was time to go
back to classes for classes.
and the next moment,
the canteen was flooded
with a sea of red.
Students and teachers gathered
with their clique,
chatting and laughing away
without any language barriers.
It was a rare sight to come upon
students rushing the pen on their scripts.
For once a day we saw,
smiles on the usual strict teachers' faces.
As time passes by,
the red slowly recedes.
For it was time to go
back to classes for classes.
Valentine's Day special 14/2/2008
Voices receding like the ocean waves
The red sea calms and lazes
Leaving the clanking of metals
Soiled plastic for space battles
Soon as the tide dies
Its child will rise
The bloody scene like history repeats
The lines. The pangs. Impatience defeats.
Gaiety. No defence. Guard is down.
Seldom does one see a frown.
Colour matters not.
Language adulterated in a knot.
Postscript:
And so you see, my dear teen
'tis a typical day in our canteen.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Mrs Sharon Tan
The red sea calms and lazes
Leaving the clanking of metals
Soiled plastic for space battles
Soon as the tide dies
Its child will rise
The bloody scene like history repeats
The lines. The pangs. Impatience defeats.
Gaiety. No defence. Guard is down.
Seldom does one see a frown.
Colour matters not.
Language adulterated in a knot.
Postscript:
And so you see, my dear teen
'tis a typical day in our canteen.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Mrs Sharon Tan
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Mysterious Poet No. 3!!!
Noisy classrooms; pandemonium,
Perspiring as they did their work,
Naggy teachers, oh-so-boring!
Frustration.
The countless “hours” doing homework,
Mind-boggling sums, the numerous essays to be written,
The sound of papers “crushed”, time and again.
Anger.
Every second, seems like minutes.
Every minute seems like hours.
The never-ending steps to class,
Laziness.
Everything’s being controlled, every small action counts,
The regular meetings with the teachers,
The occasional sight of the discipline master,
Freaks me out.
What am I to do,
Stuck in this stuffy, confined room,
Hearing to the never-ending lectures,
Like every other day.
Sick!
by ... ? =)
Perspiring as they did their work,
Naggy teachers, oh-so-boring!
Frustration.
The countless “hours” doing homework,
Mind-boggling sums, the numerous essays to be written,
The sound of papers “crushed”, time and again.
Anger.
Every second, seems like minutes.
Every minute seems like hours.
The never-ending steps to class,
Laziness.
Everything’s being controlled, every small action counts,
The regular meetings with the teachers,
The occasional sight of the discipline master,
Freaks me out.
What am I to do,
Stuck in this stuffy, confined room,
Hearing to the never-ending lectures,
Like every other day.
Sick!
by ... ? =)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Monday's Class Exercise [2]
'Kampung" by Koh Buck Song
we knew
it wouldn't last,
this peace
that perhaps the chickens
took it best,
perpetually pecking
incurious
oblivious
not knowing how far
this community
of wood and attap
has sent tributaries
from stagnant pools
or drawn water
upriver
but it all moves
all around
whether we stay
or flow
an era,
mirage-like,
comes to pass
even as puddles dry
in noonday sun
we knew
it wouldn't last,
this peace
that perhaps the chickens
took it best,
perpetually pecking
incurious
oblivious
not knowing how far
this community
of wood and attap
has sent tributaries
from stagnant pools
or drawn water
upriver
but it all moves
all around
whether we stay
or flow
an era,
mirage-like,
comes to pass
even as puddles dry
in noonday sun
Monday's Class Exercise
'East Coast' by Koh Buck Song
a lifetime seems to gape
from which we carved our names
on a coconut tree
now long-lost among the hundreds
shading this haven,
the jack-knife cut
a whisper to the wind,
youth's vandalism of hope
corrected by the
grammar of growing up
but, like a nursery rhyme,
love's basic vocabulary
repeats, still speaks
chapters of comfort,
folios of faith
seen from this shore
here is another snatch of stasis
on the hurtling continuum:
om one side
the shimmer of Shenton Way,
on the other
Changi Airport's shine
and in between
a seamless string
of ships' lamps,
like some Milky Way
of Neptune
imagery of love
is old as the sea
but each time
the metaphors recharge,
renew what they signify
in the abiding language
of the heart
a lifetime seems to gape
from which we carved our names
on a coconut tree
now long-lost among the hundreds
shading this haven,
the jack-knife cut
a whisper to the wind,
youth's vandalism of hope
corrected by the
grammar of growing up
but, like a nursery rhyme,
love's basic vocabulary
repeats, still speaks
chapters of comfort,
folios of faith
seen from this shore
here is another snatch of stasis
on the hurtling continuum:
om one side
the shimmer of Shenton Way,
on the other
Changi Airport's shine
and in between
a seamless string
of ships' lamps,
like some Milky Way
of Neptune
imagery of love
is old as the sea
but each time
the metaphors recharge,
renew what they signify
in the abiding language
of the heart
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