Ho Poh Fun (1946-2018)
SELECTED POEMS
thoughtscapes singapore
IXX
interview a youth who will be at the helm
in the twenty-first century
and he might have this to say;
i am singaporean and asian
first and foremost
attentive student of world models
second
the world does not owe me a living
if i work hard
the results will be forthcoming
i have by far
the most honest and pragmatic government
in the world
the only one that will tell you
how to best spend your savings
or lead an opposition
apart from shrewd decision-making
it has time and oft
balanced the solution
with more than two objectives
in one act
it has solved the housing problem
to no small extent
by producing employment
and stimulating trade
in the thick of industrialization
and modernization
i have also been taught
to be discerningthough i’ve learnt well the lesson
that work is good for the soul
yearly they still see fit
to serve the reminder
that i must be courteous
at an age when discretion
is better than valour
i am taking no chances
(my peers already think
they have books enough to crush the bones
and sweat to flood the sahara)
vigilance is the password
to continued strength
and stability being the true singaporean
i shall show dedication of service
in the army
and teach my sisters
how to uphold total defence
when i graduate from the university
i shall marry a graduate
so that i can sire intelligent babies
in the meantime
i shall continue to be exemplary
would you like to have a look at my report card?
by Ho Poh Fun
from Katong and Other Poems (1996)
