This Is Our New Reality

by Madam Rasidah

We need to continue to live
We need to adapt to changes in our life
We need to live with inconveniences
We need to adjust to disruptions
But…
If we encourage our peers
If we support one another
If we remain calm and not panic
If we remind each other to do the right thing
We will gain strength
We will emerge stronger
We just have to live differently
and will do it the Queenstown way
We put others before ourselves as service is in our DNA
We will continue to breathe as this is our new reality!

Old House

By Torance Wong (2C’19)

Oh, how I miss my old house
It’s where I grew up
It’s where I found joy
It’s where I feel safe and comfortable.

It was at this place
where I was introduced to
my mum screaming at the helper to get her coffee,
my siblings fighting one another
and my addiction to video games

It was at that house
where my siblings were too old to play with me,
my parents spent all their time working
and me silently playing video games
to the point where I could not stop.

All I could think of most of the time
was how I could improve myself at games
I did not care for my grades
I did not care about my appearance
My life has revolved around video games.

But it was at that house
with the help of my family
and some lifelong friends
They helped to pull me
out of my addiction

And now, all that is left
is that house.

Skyville

By Patricia Sim (2C’19)

It looks like a folded newspaper unable to be flattened
with that peculiar zig-zag appearance
From afar, it stands tall and new,
distinct from the dreary HDB blocks near it

I wander around the ground floor
There are mocha-coloured drawings carved in walls
still with simplistic faces
The wellness centre near the lifts is far from full

My friend and I went to the top once
saw Singapore, new and old
As if we were peering into a snow globe
Just me and you and Skyville all alone

Sri Lanka, Home away from Home

by Asher Nathanael (2C’19)

I only lived there for slightly over a year.
But to me, that place is held dear.

So much different from Singapore
To the untrained eye, it’s a third world country
To the educated, it is nothing short of a beauty

But something has happened to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Those Middle Eastern monsters are trying to break its shell.
We cannot let them destroy what is at the core
The willpower that bring it so much more.

What did the clam do to the sharks?
Nothing.

I hope Sri Lanka defends its rights
My second home, my favourite place
Put up a fight!

Nine year old memories

by Jaden Lim (2C’19)

Strolling through my neighbourhood
trying to have a better mood
which all seems well and good

All my memories flooding in.
Nine year old me in the playground,
just riding the slide,
in the swimming pool,
as swimming seemed cool,
in the tennis court,
always trying to hit a ball.

Every day comparing my height
to what nine year olds call it –
the net monster.
Now standing beside it
looking down and asking
Now who’s the taller one?

In present time and age,
teenagers like me, always in school,
just nonstop studying.
Now just let my memories last please.

Kindergarten

by Esther Dave (2C’19)

The sound of my classmates playing
around echoed in my head.
I remember
The sound of flipping
of books we read
in the morning.
Where it was silent
but not really silence.

Like the nice kind of quiet.
Where the teacher would
teach us how to count
with our fingers.
Where I learnt how to make friends,
Where I learnt that the earth was round.
Where I learnt how to draw with my hands.
I remember

My very first,
My precious first.

My neighbourhood

by Ghaaliah Shahrin (2B’19)

The place where memories are made
where sometimes people fade,
have been here for over a decade.

This is where I feel comfort,
love and support,
from the family next door.
Their friendly and bright smiles,
when we pass each other every day.

Every morning I always notice,
the two stray cats
as they age
with the neighbourhood.

The Mango Tree

by Reynard Lie Sutrisno (2B’19)

A curious tree it is
A loner, alone
among the stones it grew
Stones with names old and new

Here a young lad
observes the fallen leaves
slowly wrinkling
turning black

He and his family
Dressed in a similar shade
Then proceeds
to bid farewell

The boy wonders
Why was the man
Wrinkled like the leaves
Will he too, turn black?

For the first time,
I doubted life.
While another leaf falls,
forever from the tree.

Grandfather’s House

by Tan Jun Qin (2B’19)

A place of lost memories
reminding me of the special moments
like a book.
A place that was once filled
with joy and laughter.
A place without a mouth
but still able to communicate
with its occupants.
A place where something is learnt
just by going inside.
Nothing lasts forever,
a place that once was
now a pile a dust
with nothing left behind.

Notice Me

by Matthew Hui (2D’19)

Most people won’t notice,
but Telok Blangah has a mall, a school and even a hill.
Most people won’t notice,
the hawker centre food that taste really good.
Most people won’t notice,
that the park near my house was where our founding fathers landed.
Most people won’t notice,
that Mount Faber has a hidden fort used by the British.

I am sure you won’t notice,
that this is where I grew
the huge houses on the hills
called Telok Blangah.

Train tracks

by Melody Ng (2D’19)

The metal is not hammered there anymore,
they removed it a few years ago.
There used to be pebbles between each track,
had I not been careful, my bones would crack.
A path to cycle or walk or jog.
I used to fear the phantom hoot of the train,
a lullaby at night for when I lie awake, a guide to sleep.
I never got to ride that train.

Library

by Estelle Lee (2D’19)

From a young age
I enjoyed

The breath of cool air on my face
in this simple, special place.

I pick a book
off the shelf
And again
start to lose myself

In the world of words
fantasy or information
Either learning about our world
or escaping to another

This is my safe place
where
I wish
I could stay
for days.

Magnificent Clouds in the Sky

by Felicia Chua (2D’19)

Those hazy days I have forgotten
We were wishing for,
a whole new light I will remember.

With the whole world at my feet,
Avalanches in my way.
Mountains covering me,
couldn’t see what it all awaits me.

We used to spend our lives here,
there were benches we sat on,
to rant about our lives.
But now you’re gone,
and you’re never coming back.

I will still see you in my dreams,
feel your presence when I sleep,
and so finally it’s the day
no one’s with me.
Time to finally be out of your way,
so you can see.

Taking off my maroon cardigan,
removing my shoes, untying my olaits,
This little petite girl,
is going to be free.

Singapore: The City of Change

by Estelle Lee (2D’19)

Old replaced
with new, history erased
left with remnants
Of our past but those won’t last
photos, stories all there’s left
the places sent to death
Our traditions are fading
away, gone by the nest day.

the National Gallery
once the Supreme Court
now a place for pretty pictures

the Merlion
stood for something
Standing Tall
Mightier than All
used to watch over our bay
but was not allowed to stay

Singapore, the always changing city

by Tan Jun Qin (2B’19)

Singapore,
the always changing city.
They change to benefit its future,
but harms its past.

Any day, anytime,
they can remove part of your family’s past
and so its own future too.
They think that the sacrifice is small
compared to changing its future.
They have no remorse of its sacrifice,
or its history and yours too.

Why can’t they change the future
without removing part of its past.
The past helped the future
So keep the past.

Singapore,
the always changing city,
always changing its future,
always removing its past.

Sagrada Familia

by Nur Amirah Qistina (2B’19)

I was a huge project
starting long ago from 1880s
and almost finishing in 2026

137 years ago
I am still standing still
witnessing the 130 year history of my life
pass in the blink of an eye

I stand proudly
among the ocean of buildings beneath me
holding the title of the most beautiful church in Spain

I am proud of how far I’ve come
with my country and other standing churches
I am
Sagrada Familia

Change

by Tan SI Xue (2B’19)

Hey Singapore,
The City of Change
You changed my life
The way I lived
The place I sleep
I dreamt of returning to my kampong house
But now, I had to live in a small 3-room flat
Which I bought with my arm and leg.

You stole my freedom
I wish to run barefoot and build huts
But I got to appear decent and adhere to laws.

You took away my culture
I long to play with firecrackers and release lanterns
But now, I get to watch New Year countdown
On a large glaring screen

We are forced to grow up with changes
Your changes appear in high quality
But low in spirit.

Singapore: The City of Change

by Patricia Sim (2C’19)

We steal and take and destroy
Erode the value of time and let it fade into dust
To be swept off shelves and vacuumed away
Our past slips through veiny, wrinkly hands
Hands that have toiled for us

Perhaps we can redeem ourselves
When the time comes, the new will be old
Trends will become tradition
And this time we will preserve our efforts
This time our past will remain standing, proud.

Cultures grow like seeds into trees
Let us take root and remember our roots
Frame the legacies of this generation and hang it for
all to see
We will make history together.

San Agustin Church

by Patricia Sim (2C’19)

My chandeliers shine like the sun
without the aggravating heat and humidity
I’m invited ti many weddings

Clack, clack
A bashful bride holds a bouquet, her dress trailing behind her
Walking towards a groom with a gleeful grin on his face
Vows are exchanged with sincerity and tears
Cheers bounce off my frescoes and run out my door

My bygone wood bones have been burnt, rebuilt, discarded
Now my skin greys with age, tough as ever
Yet my interior is young and full of splendour
I pose for pictures proudly
I am the San Agustin Church

Danish Mermaid

by Melody Ng (2D’19)

I’ve been coloured red and blue,
subjected to torture.
Old news I am,
now seated in front of a camera.
They fixed my head,
prettier I now am,
only for a camera’s capture.

I am nothing but an old wives’ tale,
faded like the washed paint on my tail,
waves splashing with the strong gale.
Don’t have a story as deep as the sea,
I’d rather return to where I once was.

I’m metal in a crowd of rocks,
rust on the sea’s deep blue.
From a face in the crowd,
to one the crowd faces.

Christ the Redeemer

by Matthew Hui (2D’19)

A statue of grace, a mighty man in the sky,
it’s hard not to look at it while passing by.
The chaos around you, slowly dissipates.

What glory is shown, and deliverance eludes
From this outstretched man, whose words
precludes. To end hate destruction of
human race.
The Lord with a humble, gentle smile upon
his face.

At the summit of Mount Corcovado, Rio
de Jeneiro.
I am truly amazed and awed
by my heavenly hero.

Singapore’s Beat

by Reynard Lie Sutrisno (2B’19)

Have you ever noticed?
How human Singapore is?

From a childhood of low upbringing,
fishing for food

To an adolescence of rapid growth,
industries grown and new body parts reclaimed

Finally, now as an adult of success,
a thriving metropolis of diversity

Singapore has gone so far,
while keeping its identity true

But perhaps unlike a human,
Singapore’s heart will never stop beating.

Bunker of Memories Past

by Reynard Lie Sutrisno (2B’19)

I have seen many things
From the Malayan campaign,
to the fall of Singapore
I have heard many things
From the howls of the invaders,
to the laments of the locals
I have smelled many things
From the soldier’s skin,
wafted off smoke and blood,
as they move within me,
discussing the next course of action
I have tasted many things
From the copper in every gunshot,
to the sweat of the soldiers
I have felt many things
From the rough skin,
hardened by service,
to the smooth bayonet of the invaders.

I now stand as a reminder
From peace, war can come so easily
I now stand to thank you
From your stories about me,
the bunker of Fort Canning,
the memories of the past,
will never die.

“Dullness and Loneliness”

by Bajaj Manas Manojkumar (3B)

Happiness
Used to come
Children
Used to play
Conversations
Used to take place

Now there pin drop silence
Rustling of the wind
But still
Complete silence
Bright shining light
Charged by electricity
Yet darkness
No light

Old memories
Which I cry on
I live in a black and white television
No colours at all
Dullness only rules my life
Out them all

No sound
No noise
Nothing
Just sadness and nothing more

The Search

by Han Hui Min (3B)

I’ve come thus far,
But thou hath not known,
I’ve searched high & low,
To find my flesh & blood

Now that I’ve found you,
I’ve traveled through miles
Sailed through the waters
Walked till I’ve blistered

Up in the air,
In the big bird,
I’ll always look out,
To find you, my dear

I’m not very bright,
But I’m not that dumb,
To disown my dear gril
For the shackles I’ll own

To make me the star
The greatest tycoon
I did the right thing,
To let you be free ,

And as for me,
I moved on in life
Started a new career,
for my dear daughter

I’ve earned enough
Failed and succeeded
You might not believe me
But I am your mother

I’ve came all the way
From the bottom to the top
And now I’ve come back
To raise my dear daughter
To start a new life
To be a good mother

Time

by Timothy Nam (3A)

Tick, tick, tick
As they go in my
mind
Tick, tick, tick
When there will
be a tock
Tock, tock, tock
My ears would be
framed
Tick, tock, tick,
tock
Time is counting
us

I Will Always Be There

by Bajaj Manas Manojkumar (3B)

Through thick through thin
No matter where
Don’t you DARE worry
I will always be there

Whatever the news
Happy or sad
Don’t worry dear friend
You can always share
Just remember
I will always be there

Through thick and thin
No matter how big
No matter how hard
Don’t you DARE worry
I will always be there
I will always be there
I will always be there