Organised by Migrant Writers of Singapore and supported by Sing Lit Station
On the afternoon of 25 February, 2024 (Sunday), we were once again gathered at Sing Lit Station for our regular session of the Carnival of Poetry. I was excited because after two years, I was given the opportunity to moderate especially on the month of love.
Featured readers and friends started to fill the place at around 2 PM. I have prepared the materials I needed especially the bio of the featured poets and the question I wanted to ask to the audience.
We’ve listened first to a young student named Jeoshua whose poem was really heart touching because it talks about how they learned what love is through the people sorrounding them. It was followed by a video recorded from Ayoughul Raymond and Lorenzo Tabin which also responded into the theme of “Whisper of Affection” and lastly was a cheesy poem from Ameera Joti titled ‘Darling’.
We then proceeded to the ‘Open Mic’ where the audience was given opportunity to read their poems. One of them was Julie who wrote and read it in Tagalog. It was poignant because it talks about love on foreign land. How even the hope is so narrow yet she’s willing to embrace the person she truly love with all her heart. Another poem which hit me really hard was the ‘Magmahal Ka’ by Jenelyn. It talks about not giving up on love just because we’ve suffered in our previous relationship. We’ve heard different poems that day which especially honours their partners and even about single life, loving yourself and long distance relationship.
Overall, the session went well and we really had a light environment. Most of the time we fear about getting drowned even without dipping our feet into the water. We miss the opportunity of experiencing new things or getting into new adventure because of fear. On that day, I was more inspired to love and take the risk of trying, perhaps this time it will be a different story. Maybe this time there will be everlasting love. Maybe yes and maybe no but what’s more important is the bravery to choose what makes me happy.
Written by: Janelyn Dupingay
