Joshua was eating dinner at McDonald’s
at 11.33pm
alone and
unnoticed
among smartphones and
laughing young people and
the new Grilled Chicken Sandwich
which stank of oil and
sin
he thought
if he vanished right away
very likely
no one would
give a shit
Sensitive Young Wrecks
She walks around school dressed in all black
Eyes meet — she’s looking for a fight
Every word she speaks drips with spite
She’s afraid I know that for a fact
We’re alive but we talk about death everyday
Our teachers told us whatever you do don’t be gay
And to tell you the truth
I can’t feel anything these days
It’s all right to be alone (x2)
You don’t have to be lonely
Just take out your phone
And start playing PUBG
She’s sitting in the back of the lecture hall
We sat together cause your friends weren’t there
With you it’s like talking to a wall
Have we forgotten what it means to care
Don’t ask if you’re ugly you look pretty fine
Just kidding you’re ugly but so am I
Did you really just call me a five
When I gave you a nine
It’s all right to be alone (x2)
You don’t have to be lonely
Just take out your phone
And start playing MLBB
I guess we’re lousy people but
We don’t have to be lousy alone now.
Who am I? (A riddle)
My happiness
Is your joy
Your sadness
Is my suffering
Who am I?
When you begged for nourishment
I gladly complied.
I went above and beyond
Your satisfaction is mine
Who am I?
When you left
I was not sad
Your growth is proof
of my sacrifice
Who am I?
At your birth
I was with you
At your death
I pray that I went first
Who am I? I ❤ SS
Shall I compare thee to an HDB?
No, thou art not government-provided.
O! Thou art the warm home which comforts me,
Born not of Fate, but own will decided.
Thou always knowest the best words to say,
Like the pastor charged with misuse of funds
Or insurance men in the month of May,
Thy life-saving planning doth leave me stunned.
Throw chance to the wind, apply BTO.
Send our children to piano lessons
And violin practice, pizzicato!
My love and I, the ultimate Asians.
Now, as we wait for my next pay cheque,
Come and lepak with me at the void deck.
F A S C I S T (A riddle)
I am long and short,
Big and small.
I am your soul’s fort:
Transparent, till a fall.
Day and night, I am invisible
Yet I would take a bullet for you.
My master, the criminal,
Sadist, torturer, cruel fool.
What am I?
Hougang Hamlet / Afterword
People look at you, you’re scared
People don’t look at you, you wonder why
Text them, risk the status quo
Don’t text them, regret eternally
Order a McSpicy, risk gaining weight
Don’t order one, go hungry tonight
Have peace, suffer boredom
Have war, suffer hatred
Choose life, suffer for a lifetime
Choose death, wonder what could have been
Have a choice, suffer indecision
Have no choice, bemoan oppression
Hougang Hamlet is
the Pagliacci of the 21st century,
writing poetry at his $7/h part-time job.
—
collection of poems written for an intro-level creative writing class.