Gears Still Working

Over the last decade, more Singaporeans are writing autobiographies and telling their own stories, sharing their views on issues and betraying their inner, personal thoughts and reflections on life. This is an encouraging sign. Singaporeans are coming of age. They seem more willing to make their views of issues known by going public. This collection of snippets of life and poems are recollections of K.P. Menon, a retiree. Menon is not a household luminary in Singapore. He is an ordinary Singaporean who wants to share his worldviews, his observations, his concerns and encounters. Menon’s willingness to write about everyday living experiences should be encouraged. It gives us an insight into what retirees are concerned with, and what lessons we should pay attention to as individuals and as a society.

This book leaves us food for thought on three themes: what is it like to live in urban Singapore which is rapidly transforming and the challenges one faces; interesting insights of Menon’s overseas stints as a foreign service employee and the take home lessons; and Menon’s reflections on travel, the joys and frustrations. Between these themes of short essays are interspersed several poems composed both locally and in foreign postings.