"Ballad of the Ballot", Low Kian Seh
the first step to a thousand miles
of schooling starts with this;
with throttled places, registration:
deadline not to miss
there is no certain guarantee
for parent volunteers;
too high subscription’s consequence:
to randomness adhere
there are always limitations
to choosing in this nation
to have a roof above your head
is hard to get when new;
a small space may be all you need -
and even then, so few
the masterful plans TOP
with wedding coincide;
all timelines stretch, and waiting is
dilemma to decide
there are always limitations
to choosing in this nation
the piece of paper each five years
is obligation grave:
a droplet in an ocean of votes
that hopes to make a wave
is patriotism defined
as keeping status quo
or forcing necessary change?
two camps start trading blows
there are always limitations
to choosing in this nation
Author’s Note: TOP stands for Temporary Occupation Permit, which is to signify a building can be occupied, i.e. a new flat is ready to move into.