My heart is stone The moon is silent and absent Like my mother

O Mother — Thou art dead!

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.

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