POEM TRANSLATION HAIKU ECHOES 460 WITH NOTES
mesmerizing sight
迷人的景象
water fall splash from vortex
水从高涡旋落下
soothing cascade sound
柔情瀑布聲
circular conduit
循環的管道
verdant trees on terraces
梯田碧绿的林叢
fresh and fragrant breath
清香新氣息
panoramic plan
全景的計劃
trains transport from terminals
轻轨运输乘客站
pass jewel jungle
跨過珠寶林
scintillating lights
闪烁的灯光
catering, cuisine and clothes
餐飲、烹饪和美衣
drove dreamy desire
驱动梦幻欲望
strange Singlish seeking
尋怪星英語
calm city in oasis
平靜城市在綠洲
shine in weary world
闪耀疲惫界
Note
About two thousand trees and more shrubs are replanted in this garden. This reminded me about KLIA, Malaysia’s “Forest in an airport”. Changi was constructed from open parking land; whereas KLIA and KLIA 2 were from former agricultural land. It was voted as world’s top best airport, but KLIA was not even in the top 50.
It is indeed a mesmerizing sight, five floors above and another five floors below ground – a forty meter height. However, it is not a natural waterfall, but water fall splashing down from the vortex. In an age of machines and technology driven, we need to remain as human beings watching modern wonders. Luckily we were there before the crowd. We could see hidden conduits pipes around the circular garden, and the cascading sound of water. It was soothing and calming to seat on the terraces, with the in and out breath, with fragrance of flowers and plants impinging on the nose. Rails ferry passengers from other terminals to Jewel at Terminal 1, hopefully they can find their way back, for the signs are all in English. The night view, with the scintillating lights, and the stars above the sky, was idyllic, but I did not stay long enough to enjoy. The control tower can be seen just outside the Jewel, but does not serve as a panopticon, but CCTV cameras are everywhere for our safety. A canopy is sighted at the roof top for the kids to enjoy, with the guardians sipping their drinks. There are too many branded goods to lure the eyes and pockets. It is indeed an oasis in a cultural desert, neither east nor west. I have observed long queue (mainly the younger generations) for unhealthy western food and drinks, movies; kids reading more from western writers than their own writers or regional.
In its search for national identity, it’s strange that the leaders chose Singlish (mixture of Chinese dialects, with Malay and English) over Queen’s English, resulting in fallen standard in both English and Chinese. Despite this, this small native thrives well among its neighbours.
wonkywizard 