In comparison to Hsien Min’s later works in ‘Means to an End’, this collection was a lot more foreign in content. Titles such as ‘The Central Railway Station in Beijing’, ‘Meeting in Trafalgar Square’ and ‘Leaving Nottingham’ tells of experiences in a foreign land and are set overseas. Having been introduced to Toh Hsien Min as a Singapore poet, it was refreshing to be exposed to his perspective of a foreign country, which made up most of the poetry in this collection.
The more “Singaporean” poems I came across in the collection were ‘Central Business District’ and ‘Queenstown’. The persona in ‘Central Business District’ describes vibrant images of the Singapore scene contrasted with ‘Queenstown’ portrayal of a grittier Singapore. Both poems however, suggest a deep appreciation and understanding of the local Singapore scene, with a fresh, young perspective.
I found most enjoyable the foreign settings found in this collection. Hsien Min’s style as he described such foreign elements was a little harder to follow, perhaps because there was less for me to relate to. The subjects of the poems were also more varied and scattered demonstrating the Hsien Min’s versatility in his poetry.
Min, T. H. (2001). The Enclosure of Love. Landmark Books Pte Ltd.
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