Arthur Yap was a Singaporean poet born in 1943 and died in 2006. His poetry is marked by linguistic experimentation and playfulness that explores the languages of Singapore and the English language. His first collection, Only Lines, was published in 1971. His final collection, Down the Line, was published posthumously in 2015.
‘an afternoon nap’ by Arthur Yap explores the lacunae in the modern education system and how it results in anxiety and stress in students.
the ambitious mother across the road
is at it again. proclaming her goodness
she beats the boy. shouting out his wrongs, with raps
she begins with his mediocre report-book grades.
2 Mothers in an HDB Playground is about the conversation held between two mothers at a park, as the title
‘Location’ by Arthur Yap is a two stanza free verse poem about a person who is stuck in a rooted and stationary mundane routine that he wishes to escape.