Haiku for Lee Kuan Yew

Comparing him to a Tiger

A Hill. A Tiger
Roaming these familiar trails
Alone. Now he sleeps.

Comparing him to a tree

Anticipation
A tree falls in the forest
A new Patch of Sky

Everyone sees
The Tree falls in the forest
It makes not a sound

Contemporary/Pop Culture Reference

No rest for the Feared
Hard Man making History
Valar Morghulis

In his own words

"It is what it is
My Life for My Singapore
I have no Regrets"

"I have a hatchet
We'll meet in the cul-de-sac."
Valar Morghulis!

What advice do you have for Singaporeans now that you are gone? Remember, your advice must be in the form of Haiku

"Keep Calm. Carry On.
Walk Softly. Carry Big Stick.
Winter is Coming."


Haiku has a simple formula - 5-7-5 syllables in 3 lines. A good Haiku references the subject matter by analogy. But sometimes, blunt and direct works well.

Clouds

Clouds serenely drifting across the sky
Slowly making their way to someplace they need to go
Perhaps they'll meet together and decide
To become a storm, a typhoon or a tornado.

- 14 Aug 2008


Haiku version:

Serene clouds drifting
Meeting by chance or purpose
Thus a storm gathers.


Zen Haiku:

Clouds serenely drift
By chance or choice? No one knows.
Perhaps a storm, or a breeze