Singapore sling

After a very long flight, Singapore welcomed me and my partner for a few days allowing us to experience its multitude of foods, people and landscapes. Kampong Glam is one of the areas that grabbed my attention and inspired this poem. Traditionally the Muslim Quarter, it currently hosts people from all walks of life whilst maintaining some of its origianl soul.

Up down up down
Level after level 
Layers of glittering skyscrapers revel 
In between Mosques, malls, vibrant temples.

Up down up down, water dances in the Bay.

Undeniable. It’s durian!
Its pungent fragrance freely travels
in Chinatown.

Stories of intertwined cultures 
Knit multicoloured waves of flags in Kampong Glam
Where streets explode with life 
At the chanting sound of Adhan.

Turn right.
Food invades the street,
Marvels the eye.

Up down up down
Sax and drums’ unruly sound
Warm the next alley’s ground.

All the while,
A man feeds otters at the crack of dawn

And every night,
Up down up down, water dances in the Bay.