Elisabeth Ang, Singapore's National Honour
October 2026
What fortune
A band of men, dressed in black,
with guns adorned with scarlet glints,
arrived at a humble village of night.
They raised their arms and with stone they said
"We have come to take you away."
None believed but the next day they came,
with swords that gleamed in winter's mist.
And they said "We have come for your women and children."
And I thought "What luck! I am but a man."
And away they went, and at winter's end,
A white horse arrived to grace our land.
As spring came, they returned again,
And they said “We have come for those of the ages."
And I thought "What joy! I am still of youth."
And away they went, and with the coming of summer,
A red horse galloped a somber tune.
As the first beams of heat arrived, again they came
And they said “We have come for the lovers of Man."
And I thought "What fortune! I have loved none."
And away and far away they went, and with the fall of the leaves,
A black horse came.
But when the ground opened and the fire rose,
And the chosen were lifted beyond the smoke.
The pale horse greeted the rest left behind.
With horrid clarity, enlightenment came.
It was not the taken who were damned.
Only the ones who had rejoiced at their “damn”.
Score: 64.29 out of 100.
Read the October 2026 National Honours