One Fierce Hour

by Alfian Sa'at

"This is one of the most exciting collections of poetry by a Singaporean in recent years...He is what I call a 'natural' poet - one to whom image-making comes by instinct, without strain or struggle; or at least that is how his art looks...This collection is truly a landmark for poetry here." - Assoc Prof Lee Tzu Pheng

"Only 21, Alfian writes such brutally honest poetry that is not so much grievances from an angry young man, but wry observations of a 'surprising Singapore'...laced with sarcasm, poignancy, and yes, a lot of love." - S. Young.

Genres: Poetry

43 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[CuriousBookReviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is Alfian Sa'at's first anthology of poems. At 21, writing such thought-provoking material is an incredible feat.

In "Neighbours" he tackles the issue of 'judgmentalism' by showcasing two SG neighbours' infamous hi-bye attitudes! (This prompts us to think: How well do we know our Neighbours? Do we even care?)

"The Merlion" is a great piece on blurred identities - a girl clad in international swank criticises the 'plain' Merlion.

"Cardboard" is a moving piece on the life of a recycling auntie/uncle.

It's not my favourite anthology of poems by Alfian Sa'at but there are many pieces in here that deserve writing ovations.

Suitable for: Singaporeans, Baby Boomers or anyone curious about our culture

[sherb · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were so many poems that i re-read over and over again just to try to imprint them on my brain. such GLORIOUS writing - i could not be more into this.

[Loa Hoang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[Tish]

Quoted in Singapore: The Air-conditioned Nation. Essays on the Politics of Comfort and Control, 1990-2000:

In one poem, the poet and a friend gaze upon the statue of the Merlion. . . It is "marooned... as if unsure of its rightful harbour." Its jaws "clamp open in self-doubt, still surprised after all these years." From its mouth, water shoots out to the entrance of the Singapore River, prompting the friend to ask:

"And why does it keep spewing that way?
 I mean, you know, I mean..."

"I know exactly what you mean," I said,
 Eyeing the blond highlights in your black hair
 And your blue lenses the shadow of a foreign sky.
 "It spews continually if only to ruffle
 its own reflection in the water; such reminders
 will only scare a creature so eager to reinvent itself."

[Hao Guang Tse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading this collection made me realize 2 things. 1: this is the poetic equivalent of 12 Storeys, with a dose of Ginsberg thrown in. 2: Sa'at at 21 writes atomically, soaring over many 20somethings of this generation.

[Ray Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Singaporean poetry collections I've ever had the pleasure to read.