after a lithograph by Katherine Drake: “Mentally ill patients dancing at a ball at Somerset County Asylum”

I want to get out of here! A little dancer Asked me why I didn't join the merry dance No, dear, If dogs eat dung Should I join in the fun?

But, oh! How the drum-beat pulsed my heart! And, with a glance, The fairest lady of them all Tugged at the soul of this bard

No, no, no! Nein!

It was a sunny day And you said I had morning breath Like any other day And you said my flesh was soft

How red it was And it helped you learn something “Eat it. Eat it.” You've never done that before

Then evening came, and —

In celebration of video games from the 2000s

I love a challenging Final Boss High difficulty means high reward But all my strategies cease When you, my beloved Final Boss, dies I’ve killed you, yes — And then, what am I left with? What am I left with? “Don’t die now,” I whisper, ”It’s been too fun” “Thank you for playing,” they callously applaud “What’s next?” my brain blindly gropes

I have benefitted from the labours of poets and poetesses from decades past – and centuries past – and I have no way of expressing my gratitude except to “pay it forward” (as the younger set says) – I have received freely and now I give freely.

In no particular order, I list poems that have helped me at pivotal moments in my life.

Yesterday the wind came And pushed some trees over Humans – hairless apes, really - Pointed and stared

The next day

I attempt a haiku as a response to each site that I have visited on this tiny island.

1. Aquarium on Sentosa Island

Flitting past humans Helmets glow and dance. No sun. Life beneath the waves

2. Mandai Zoo

Endless screams and shrieks Long arms – furry – swing past trees Orange men with tails

I can't write poems I can't take a photograph Creative self-doubt

Simple game. Few rules. Fun and laughter in childhood Give me back those days