Positive vibes

Love yourself

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Performed this poem in front of a live audience on Tuesday. It was my very first open mic event, and the theme was 'Fools'

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thinking of friends and family that i'm outgrowing...

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thinking of an old saying and reflecting on identity...

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Thinking about having a purpose...

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kopitiam porno

pigeons mate on the plate return station i sip my teh and watch their wings flap in the steamy kopitiam air, love affair paraded to aunties gossiping, nonchalant -the aviary foreplay takes centre frame

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Wrote this poem a few months ago, on the way home from a gathering of college friends I might never meet again

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Game Night Part 2

Saiful tries the doorknob again, but it was locked. He peered through the kitkat window to see an empty street, rain pelting down like the world was ending. Stacey and Agnes reach the group at the bottom of the stairs just as Saiful threw his fist against it. “What’s wrong?” Agnes asked. “The door is stuck.” Saiful replied flatly. Stephanie whips out her phone from her pocket to dial the…

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Your Approval

I don’t seek your approval anymore because that means trying to climb Babel. I don’t turn to you for advice because your worries only looked out for you. I don’t seek your approval anymore – your happiness always outweighed mine. I didn’t realise that a parent could ruin so many things in a child’s life because they didn’t do any growing up. I don’t seek your approval anymore because…

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the downside of corporate

“Nathan, we need the website to be up ASAP!” The manager barged into the media room. The door frame shook with the mighty thud. Everyone turned to look at Nathan, a pained look plastered on his face, as always in these circumstances. Nathan worked with five other people in his team – all of whom were equally done with this company’s nonsensical requests. There were two graphic designers –…

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| sad | adjective

there are so many words to describe sadness but what if you’ve exhausted that list? what do you say when your brain refuses to laugh when you’re melancholic, dismal, disconsolate and miserable all at the same time? what do you call that? how do you even begin to say that your soul has given up trying? does life end? does happiness ever come back? clinging onto it only makes it worse –…

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sacrificial lamb

Naufal’s lungs were about to give out. Before turning the corner into the eerie, deserted field, he’d run 5 kilometers without stopping. Blood dripped down his ample forehead and onto his brand new shirt his colleagues had given him for his birthday. Man.. They were going to have a field day when they saw the state it was in. If they ever saw him again. He only paused a second to look behind, and…

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If I Had To Talk About Pain

If I had to talk about pain, I’ll tell you all about my happiest days My biggest smiles, heartiest laughs And the days when my chest didn’t feel like a boulder was on it. If I had to talk about pain, I’d tell you about the last time A friend called to ask how I was doing. I would tell you how nice it is to be care for; even if it was just a phone call or a text. If I had to talk about…

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Game Night

Rain spatters on the windows. The wind howls. The entire street is dark, save for one lone shop house building – “Uno!” A collective groan fills the room. Eight people sit cross-legged on the floor, holding their deck of cards close to their faces. Music plays softly in the background.. Naufal, in his mid-twenties grins. He’s dressed in a cream co-ord set which only enhances the crazed look on…

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When I Used to Care

When I Used to Care

There used to be a time when I cared When every text message sent my brain pinging When every phone call made my heart buzz with delight But they never came. There was a time when you made excuses and it made me think, I was the reason why you couldn’t love me. Now every email makes my eyes dart to the bin icon on my screen. Gone are the days when I used to tuck my roots away just for…

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against the wall

Backed against the fucking wall I can hardly breathe Stop my hands from shaking, please And get me off my knees My stomach won’t stop churning My mouth keeps going dry I’m trying the best I can Not to fucking cry. I’m supposed to be getting better Why am I at Square One? Every god damned time I scare I can’t help but run

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Trouble in Paradise – Setting up boundaries while working remotely

Trouble in Paradise – Setting up boundaries while working remotely

Working from home sounded like heaven at first, but now you’re questioning your own sanity after months of dealing with overstepping bosses and demanding clients. This is especially so if you’ve started at a new company during quarantine. If you missed the chance to set your boundaries in the beginning, it might be tough to set some now – but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. IS IT…

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does love sickness exist?

does love sickness exist?

oh i envy all the people

who are loved in return –

to rest their heads,

oblivious to the yearning ;

the emptiness, sharp

claws of loneliness sinking

deeper, falling quicker

down the void we go,

no love to save us, to

cradle us, our minds

scattered, shattered to pieces

of the soul so worn out

there must be someone

for this desolate heart

destined to…

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