“Raffles Place” – a poem

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These Towers of Babel reaching for God

Founded upon Mammon but built by Man.

Children grasping to be General Zod,

Each storey worth seven tens upon ten.

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The toss of a stone across four cars’ girth

Born of a nation’s love to protect Man.

Kampungs gone to see modernity’s birth,

Each storey worth a family of ten.

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Are you ready to be the Colossus,

When you know not the feet of lead nearby?

The clouds do not understand the forest,

But without it, fertility runs dry.

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Surely all this wealth is worth much more than

One or more if you can afford a town.

Surely the power of this money can

Save Sang Nila Utama’s ancient crown.

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Then again, our founder came for gain,

His name fittingly lent to these towers.

Stories of swordfish now turned to a train,

Singapore – one of Asia’s great powers.