idea to ideal

12 singapore poets

on the writing of their poems

Edited with an Introduction by Felix Cheong

firstfruits publications, Singapore, 2004

Goh Poh Seng
Robert Yeo
Kirpal Singh
Chandran Nair
Leong Liew Geok
Angeline Yap
Boey Kim Cheng
Heng Siok Tian
Paul Tan
Alvin Pang
Yong Shu Hoong
Cyril Wong

Where do poems come from?  How are they created? Why are they written at all?

Gathered in this anthology are essays by 3 generations of Singapore poets attempting to answer these questions.  These 12 writers open up their files and take you back to the source and inspiration behind one of their poems.

And what they reveal is very telling on the creative journey that a work has to go through from idea to ideal.

Footnote: Chandran Nair's essay on the writing of his poem Trees (for my father) is included in this collection.

This book can be obtained from Select Books, Singapore (see links section of the website: www.ivygohnair.tk)

Editorial enquiries,comments and suggestions should be directed to Ng Kwang Cheng, Woodlands Central Branch Post Office, PO Box 192, Singapore 917310. Email: firstfruitsoikos@ftnetwork.com .