Christmas in Singapore
Posted: December 24, 2008A poem by Weston Fitzgerald who is a Singapore permanent resident but an American Citizen. To those who wonder how people in this island celebrate the equatorial way of Christmas. Yes, we do celebrate Christmas.
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A Christmas poem I thought I’d write
About my Singapore home for this magic night
It may behot and wet, and not cold and white
But Christmas here is just as nice
This place I love, it has a different flair
Culturally diverse with predominantly black hair
Yes, people here are a tad Kiasu (local term for fear of losing)
Always rushing around, but then, so do you
As friendly a folk as ever I have met
With love to spare, and smiling faces you cannot forget
For people are people, and men are bouts
It doesn’t matter if we are white, brown or brown
Buddhists, Christians and Muslims
live in harmony in this town
Christmas spirit is as sincere here
and just as bright
Our trees stand glistening with twinkling lights
Our families too eager for Santa’s first flight
The stockings are hung by staircase, not fire
The night before Christmas, before we retire
The kids are dreaming of what they will find
On a Christmas morning under the tree
like a gleaming gold mine
Treats and gifts, wrapped brightly with bows
What’s inside ? Only Mom, Dad and Santa know
The turkey will roast in the overn all day
Mom will bake pies, too; pecan, if I have my way
Our extended family will be there to join in the feast
To gobble up chunks if Mom’s golden brown beast
No live sports to speak of, but that’s okay
Internet football will fill the void on the big day
Christmas is here, its spirit resounds
Thanks Santa, thanks Singapore,
for the joys that abound
Merry Christmas to all people
white, black and brown
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Guess the author forgotten to mention many will be gathering around friends and family celebrating the birth of Jesus. Others who do not know Christmas truth meaning, will be sharing family times and exchanging gifts. I am still glad, it is a public holiday on Christmas Day where parents and kids can be together for another day.
