The Valentine’s Edition of Speakeasy was held at Artistry on 10 February 2017 to a packed and sweaty audience overflowing to the tables outside.

I was privileged to read some of my favourite love poems, and thankful that I was placed first so by the end of the evening everybody had forgotten me. On stage I took my glasses off so I couldn’t see anyone, but forgot to raise the microphone stand to suit my height. This means that the only photo of me reading shows me as a hunchback with toothache. Thanks to Shu Hoong for that photo.

I should also thank Shu Hoong for giving me me my very first reading in Singapore at the Book Cafe near Mohd Sultan Road in 2003 where I read my story We Rose Up Slowly. Prof. Kirpal Singh spoke on that evening a long time ago too about creativity.

Back at Speakeasy, you can see by these images that Shu Hoong has done well to retain his youthful, calm thoughtfulness - to be contrasted with Ashley50 whose up front good looks and virulent utilitarian pragmatism remain as erotic and enticing as ever.

The set list, courtesy of Pooja, was as follows:

1. Jon Gresham

Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
Topography - Sharon Olds
You're Beautiful - Simon Armitage

2.Marylyn Tan

Lick My Butt - Justin Chin
Pluto. 3 - C.A. Conrad
Energy Eulogy - Aaron Freeman

3. Balli Kaur Jaswal

Our Union - Hafiz
You fit into me - Margaret Atwood
What the Living Do - Marie Howe
Good Bones - Maggi Smith

4. Darryl Whetter.

Keeping things whole - Mark Strand
Somewhere I have never travelled - e e cummings
Ghazal IV - John Thompson

5. Paul Tan

Rings - Carol Ann Duffy
Soup -Boey Kim Cheng
Extract from Atlantis - Marc Doty

6. Yong Shu Hoong

A blade of grass - Brian Patten,
The innocence of any flesh sleeping - Brian Patten
Someone's coming back - Brian Patten

7. Ruth Tang

Meditations at Lagunitas - Robert Hass
The Glass Essay - Anne Carson
Your Goodness - Arthur Yap

8. Daryl Yam

For Love - Robert Creeley
Poems by Saif

9. Will Beale

Short & Tall by Sam Ferrante (book: Pick Me Up)
Train to Rosanna by Arielle Cottingham (book: The Tarantist's Soapbox)
Forgiveness & Forgetfulness by John Englezos (book: If The World Were Upside Down)

10. Ian Chung

Thoughts on Unpacking by Thom Gunn
They tell us the first time we make love it should be with someone special - Cheryl Julia Lee

11. Barrie Sherwood

Sonnet to Guido Cavalcanti - Dante Alighieri

12. Samuel Lee

A day in the life of your suitcase - Selima Hill
The visitations of prejudiced angels - Selima Hill
Married people going to work - Jenny Joseph

13. Renee Ting

Stay Still - Pooja Nansi
Without You - Tania De Rozario
Boats- Cyril Wong

14. Ashley 50

He Who Buildeth - Edwin Thumboo
Like Making Love, it is always easier the second time - Ng Yi Sheng

15. Cyril Wong

Dancing on my own - Robyn

A larger version of the images is here. Please in all cases ask me for permission if you wish to use any image.

I note I am available to take promotional, marketing portraits or event shots for a fee. Please contact me if you are interested.