POETRY has always been a formative part of our lives, and doubly so given that we both studied English.
While discussing our experiences as poets, we weighed the ways in which neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong have developed their respective poetic landscapes.
It is undeniable we have a lineage of great Malaysian poets -- Muhammad Haji Salleh, Ee Tiang Hong, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim, and Usman Awang come to mind immediately -- as well as a strong base of contemporary spoken word poets, though the endeavours of our current generation are not formed around any kind of solid community.
Many of us are chiefly focused on getting published in journals or magazines based in the US, the UK, or even Canada and Australia, the both of us included.
April is often also known as National Poetry Writing Month, a worldwide event where poets attempt to write a poem every day for thirty days.
Our E/SEA neighbours like SingPoWriMo and KongPoWriMo have proven to be vital efforts in nurturing emerging voices, the bedrock of growth in any creative space.
However, although we observed that although robust poetic narratives have become increasingly apparent locally -- a sentiment apparently in the recent publication of Malaysian Millennial Voices, which we’ve both contributed to -- there currently does not exist a similar, nationwide project.
The Malaysian Poetry Writing Fortnight (MPWF) is a result of wrestling with such sentiments.
MPWF aims to give Malaysian poets a place to share and grow their work, while simultaneously affording those not wishing to write to read the amazing range of poetic voices we have locally.
We wish to encourage the development of a more varied contemporary literary scene, revitalising the ways in which we think about Malaysian poetry in English.
A crucial way of doing so entails supporting poets in experimenting with new styles and forms, while creating a positive space that allows them to receive constructive feedback from fellow poets alike.
While this initiative may not be the full month just yet, we hope this pilot project will be the springboard for us to prepare for a full Malaysian Poetry Writing Month next year!
We would love for the connections and poems shared in the group to resonate beyond a fortnight, and that we will be able to inspire others to give poetry a try or to improve their existing craft.
Even if you’re not sure that poetry is for you, we encourage you to join the group, read and support other writers, and maybe try your hand at it too!
MPWF begins on 15th April 2021. For more information, search 'Malaysian Poetry Writing Fortnight' on Facebook and join us!
Kwan Ann Tan, Shameera Nair Lin
Mon Apr 12 2021
MPWF aims to give Malaysian poets a place to share and grow their work. - Photo for illustration purposes only
Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok
Suspek kes pukul dan tolak isteri ke dalam gaung di Kilometer 31.2 Jalan Raya Timur Barat (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli dekat Gerik, Julai lalu akan didakwa di mahkamah pada Jumaat.
KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi
Prestasi paling penting ialah peningkatan perbelanjaan isi rumah, disebabkan oleh keyakinan isi rumah yang semakin baik.
Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam
Solat jenazah akan diadakan di Masjid Puncak Alam sebelum dikebumikan di Tapak Perkuburan Felda Bukit Cherakah selepas solat Zohor hari ini.
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?