AEC ( Worker Writes)

Worker Writes - Migrant Workers Poetry Competition 

Migrant Workers Poetry Competition is a very special competition because the participants were by people that leave their hometown, to come to Singapore to work.

Many of the Poetry writes about how they miss their family members as well as their hometown. 
one of favourite poetry is 

乙未杂诗

千里过番落南洋，廿岁卅载未还乡。

孤衾残枕话凄凉，夜闻霪雨入寒窗。

沧桑羁旅多少秋，转徙图存鬓白头。

艋艟难载桑梓愁，唯把星洲作神州

Translated version 

I crossed a thousand miles and settled in the foreign land of Nanyang.

It has been twenty to thirty years since I returned to my hometown.

Loneliness left its residue all over my pillow and blanket,

At night I heard the downpour seeping through my shabby window.

How many autumns have it been since I got trapped in a strange land?

Moving around and struggling until my hair has gone grey.

Even the ship cannot bear the load of my homesickness,

All I can do is to imagine Singapore as China.

(migrantworkerpoetry, 2017)

This is my favourite poem because it portrays how he felt at the point in time. He was all lonely when he left his hometown. He said that leaving his hometown is akin to lost his soul. I can understand how he is feeling. Afterall, he misses his home. 

It must be really harsh on migrant workers. They have to travel the deep,vast sea, just to work and support the family. Days have passed, yet the're longing for home doesn't decrease over time.

It is a simple poetry, but the meaning behind it is so deep. 

In conclusion, This poetry make me treasure my family , and not take things for granted. 
In daily life, my family members are always there to support me, no matter what I do. However, because they are always there, I have become too reliant and took them for granted. Until I read about how the worker miss their family. That's when I realise that I should treasure what I have now. 

References:

   migrantworkerpoetry. (2017). migrantworkerpoetry. [online] Available at:

   https://www.singaporeworkerpoetry.com/copy-of-poets [Accessed 11 Jul. 2017].