SINGAPORE – As you navigate the busy MRT trains of Singapore, you may have noticed countless advertisements for food and services. But starting November 1st, something extraordinary is transforming these everyday spaces into a canvas of creativity and expression.

For an entire year, commuters will be greeted with over 100 snippets of poetry from Singapore’s talented poets, adding a dash of humor and reflection to their daily journeys. These poetic treasures range from Wong May's poignant observations to Lee Jing Jing's playful lines that challenge commuters to "Hear the difference between/Shut up, and/Shut up, lah."

One standout piece by migrant poet MR Mirzan reminds us of the often-overlooked contributions of laborers, elegantly stating, “My sweat turns villages to metros/and metros into civilisation.” Furthermore, Ng Yi-sheng’s witty work "Roti Chatter" cleverly celebrates Singapore’s multicultural fabric, letting readers ponder the linguistic quirks of local cuisine.

This initiative, described as the largest effort to promote Singapore Literature (SingLit) to date, is not just confined to a few posters. Spanning across the SMRT-operated North-South, East-West, and Circle lines, the city’s poetry presence includes 120 panels in trains and an astonishing 1,920 digital screens that feature animated poetry and video interviews with poets.

A special concept train, running until February 20, 2025, is completely adorned with SingLit stickers, even providing commuters with graphical maps of active bookstores across the island. This move comes in response to the increasing number of closures in the local book retail scene, encouraging a revival of book culture among Singaporeans.

The project is a collaborative effort involving the National Arts Council (NAC), SMRT, the advertising arm Stellar Ace, and the non-profit Sing Lit Station. Fiona Chan, chair of Sing Lit Station, expressed her enthusiasm, recalling how her own journey into Singapore poetry began on an MRT in the 1990s. "This is an opportunity for poetry to enter the mainstream on a much larger scale,” she emphasized.

With around 3.2 million commuters passing through MRT gantries each day, this initiative aims to show that poetry is accessible and can positively impact one’s daily routine. "Poetry isn’t esoteric; it can be an uplift in your day," Chan states.

After meticulously selecting from over 1,000 submitted poems, the final compilation features 60% in English, along with translated excerpts in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. “We aimed for each selected piece to provide a small ray of sunshine for those fatigued by their commutes,” Chan explained.

To celebrate the launch, a pop-up library was established at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, where free poetry zines were distributed and spoken word performances took place, showcasing the talent of 11 poets including Yeow Kai Chai and Arunditha.

This literary movement is part of a broader three-year initiative by NAC and SMRT aimed at enhancing public spaces through arts. Previous projects include "I Play SG Music," which brought local music to train and bus stations, and a platform for buskers with disabilities.

As for the creation of a cohesive Singapore literary canon, Sing Lit Station’s general manager Zaris Azira views this program as a vital contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding Singaporean literature. The curatorial team drew from established resources like Poetry.sg and the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore.

Chan encourages readers to curate their own personal collection of poetry, suggesting that this initiative might inspire individuals to build their own libraries of literary favorites.

So next time you hop onto an MRT in Singapore, prepare for a delightful encounter with the world of poetry – it could be the unexpected inspiration you didn’t know you needed!