As the bus meandered along Serangoon Road, it dawned upon me that today was the Thaipusam Festival. I was inspired by the Thaipusam warriors carrying the kavadi. Thus was worn this poem ‘The Thaipusam Warriors’.

“Ignoring the sheer weight of the kavadi on my head
and the pain emitting from the sharp skewers pierced into my bare body,
I take yet another step forward. 
Slowly but surely…
stopping sometimes to
receive a food offering from some devotees
stopping sometimes to
dance and twirl around in circles.
With the peacock feathers on my kadavi fluttering majestically in the wind,
I undertake this arduous journey
as a mark of my faith,
as a language of my belief,
as proof of my dedication,
as return of my earlier vow
For if I am pure in both my thoughts and feelings,
may I not be hurt throughout it all.
May I wear a cloak of invincibility to
wade through the slings and arrows that may come my way.
May I be strong and not quiver
when facing my deepest fears.
May I summon my inner courage to
makr good my promise to God.
May I rise above all challenges and
be the greatest warrior of them all.”

Lionel Lim

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