DIVERSE MODES

About the Book

Diverse Modes, a new four-part anthology of verse by author and poet Tan Kheng Yeang, presents an array of poetic styles and themes. Division One is written in ordinary free verse, while Division Two explores free verse without punctuation marks. Divisions Two and Three offer two entirely new styles created by Tan—first, poetry that uses sentences with no finite verbs and, second, amorphous verse, which appears to be the same as prose in terms of style while retaining the lyricism of poetic language. Tan’s keen sense of observation extends to everything under the sun, from the glories of nature to the wide range of human emotions. His insight extends to the very fundamental components of life and the building blocks of the universe. Indeed, the order of the universe possesses a lyricism best captured by the pen of the poet! News Avidity for news Screams the loudest human trait; When one encounters another They trade information About their friends and acquaintances And what has saluted their eyes and ears. The greatest purveyor of intelligence Is the omnipresent newspaper Which diurnally echoes events From all corners of the globe— Earthquakes and volcanoes, Floods and droughts, Robberies and murders, Riots and wars, Actions and plans of governments …

About the Author

Tan Kheng Yeang was born in British Malaya, studied civil engineering at the University of Hong Kong, worked in construction in free China, and eventually became an engineer in the City Council of Georgetown, Penang. After his retirement, he worked as an engineering consultant. He is the author of many books.