The Swinburne Poetry Competition 2020 jointly organised by the School of Foundation and Swinburne Sarawak Library ran from 29 April till 22 May. Participants wrote three poems on a single theme of their own choice: Love, Sorrow, 21st Century Living. The winners were announced on 21 June at a virtual ceremony via Microsoft Teams, including the guest of honour, Professor John Wilson and the Head, School of Foundation Su Sueh Ing, and Manager, Information Resources, Adeline Ho. The organising team consisted of Bong Siew Ming from the Library and judges Cassandra Lau, Christina Yin and Liaw Chiew Han from the School of Foundation Studies.

Wahaj’s winning poem was based on the theme “Life”. Second place winner, civil engineering student Farina Praveen wrote on the theme “Depressed” and third place winner, foundation engineering / science student Bernice Ting Jing Shuen wrote on the theme “Memories”.

This is the last stanza of Wahaj’s poem, depicting the narrator’s life during the early days of the pandemic.

But what of the warriors who will not see out the day?
My parents wait with baited breath, their child is all alone
I am scared as I alleviate their fears, through the telephone
I hope to see tomorrow, I hope to see you all
And enjoy the days as we did, summer, spring and fall
I sit and wait listlessly
My mind slumbers awake
The days we used to take for granted
In a breathless whisper, taken away.