“I write because constantly yapping in someone’s ears is considered impolite. ”
“convex; in other words, make more out of light. bend back, and turn dust into sugar. raise bread.
in the heat of morning all else must cleave to light. they call this anacamptic. i call it reflection.”
Delicately pressed onto your fresh bag of coffee beans are words by Singaporean writer Cheng Him. This excerpt is adapted from Cheng Him’s poem “anacamptic”, first published on SOFTBLOW - an online editorial dedicated to the publishing of contemporary poetry.
Cheng Him is an author from Singapore. Find him here: Website / Instagram
ANACAMPTIC (2024)
it means sleight of hand. it means sideways glance and a mirror with no reflection.
a cloud reaches for a river to touch a shard of water. it melts into its own reflection.
behind a word is a desk. i have one with a folding top. it is bent with age. it overflows with paper.
pencil a soft substitute for memory. when graphite turns to ash look for its reflection.
moths turn to wicker on a lamp. i imagine jasmine draped about the neck of buddha-in-clay.
is there a name for this brown sweetness? the singing bowl humming in its own reflection?
i hoard rice in my pockets. i need only rain for porridge. starch lends strength to brittle.
my fingers become spoons. i set a bowl down before the moon. i kneel to eat its reflection.
a name arrives on my lips with the morning mist. in the space between a breeze and a gale is a cutting edge.
think: window frame. i imagine glass on the periphery. curtains fold a face to lend structure to reflection.
convex; in other words, make more out of light. bend back, and turn dust into sugar. raise bread.
in the heat of morning all else must cleave to light. they call this anacamptic. i call it reflection.
This collaboration is made possible through a joint partnership between a literary arts charity Sing Lit Station and ECHO.
ABOUT SING LIT STATION
Sing Lit Station is a registered charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC). Our vision is to be a platform where readers and writers can meet. Our core mission is to serve the local literary community of writers and readers by:
Supporting local writers to develop their artistic and professional lives
Inviting readers to explore Singapore’s literary culture
Bring communities and partners together to develop dynamic literary communities
Supporting impactful and efflorescent work that extends and renders anew the country’s rich literary lineage through our publishing arm AFTERIMAGE
Some of more established programmes include 2024’s Poems on the MRT, Singapore Poetry Writing Month (SingPoWriMo) and our annual literary arts practitioner fellowship, the Jalan Besar Fellowship. We also support other writing initiatives such as the Migrant Writers of Singapore, poetry.sg and various other writing groups.
Interested in finding your written tribe? Follow us here:
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A donation would help add colour to Singapore’s reading and writing scene in more ways you can imagine - trust us! We’re an imaginative bunch.
ABOUT ECHO
ECHO goes beyond just the café—it’s a pause amidst the rush of city life. Started by Zilennial-preneurs who look to go against the grain, ECHO is our way of stepping beyond the 9-to-5 grind to build something that resonates. It’s a space for balance, where the clinking of cups and the soft hum of conversations create a comforting rhythm for those navigating the dynamic pace of modern life.
Serving up everyone's favourite pick-me-ups, from specialty coffee to matcha, tea and light bites, every provision at ECHO reflects this vision, blending high-quality ingredients with genuine care to leave a lasting impression. True to its name, ECHO mirrors the dreams and desires of young people seeking connection, comfort, and a break from the hustle. It’s a testament to finding moments of pause, where small joys and meaningful connections can brighten the day.
Follow the journey:
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Visit ECHO
KADA, #01-08, 5 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069183