Read the poem in English here.
在刺青里阅读
阅读障碍的青春
吞吐烟头上
毫无重量的时光
在脸上打洞
钻过过厚的年少脸皮
看A片假装
不变的生活也有真正的高潮
用最毒的粗话
自责复自艾
在墙上涂鸦
如在身上自残
挥动菜刀比摇动笔杆纯熟
不塞的校服如搪塞的责任
向世界的眼光比最粗的中指
才终于
熬到十六岁
About the poet
Born and bred in Singapore, Dr. Tan Chee Lay is an Associate Professor of Chinese Literature at NTU and the Executive Director (R&D) of the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language. He has a BA in Chinese, MA in English, MBA and PhD. He has won the Golden Point Award, Young Artist Award, Singapore Youth Award (Art and Culture) and has published over 20 creative writing and scholarly books. His recent publications include Landmark Poetics of the Lion City (poetry, 2017). Besides creative writing and academic research, he enjoys Chinese calligraphy, painting and badminton.