pigeons roost in trees
leaves spiral down
they watch from behind
they fly without sound
observe as the houses
fall into green
they melt like a puddle
they scream from within
watching they wait
quiet they lie
crinkle of leaves
heard when they die
sleek modern lines
blend into brown
like the smell of incense
the fight against sound
the busy temple waits
while tradition upholds
till tourists disturb
they enter in droves
old against new
more than one may persist
brown red and green
they now co-exist
In the visit to Little India, the most striking thing for me was the contrast between the old and new, tradition and modernisation. It’s odd how they can both be at the same place at the same time, though sometimes, the old has to be sacrificed for the new. I feel that this conflict is one of the most important ones in Singapore, considering our limited land and need for a rich heritage. I hope that the old and new can continue to co-exist peacefully.
"Forgotten"- A Writing Journey 