The Book Is Out!

It's official : )

My first poetry anthology Characters Under Glass has finally been published. Until I'm free to do readings and such during the holidays, they're available via special order from Mr. Abdul Halim Ali of the Language Faculty, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. You can also write to me!

Here's the introduction on page viii:

Characters Under Glass is a study of life, or more specifically, different individuals from all walks of life under the proverbial microscope. This book features different takes on all our close encounters – the places you’ve seen, the people you’ve met, the emotions you’ve felt – wrapped up and tied with a bow; simply because, more often than not, we miss them the first time around and hope for a second chance.

The phrase 'under glass' not only refers to the glass of the microscope but also to the fact that in so many situations there is this shared feeling of being trapped, or even of helplessness; particularly with issues that are taboo or those of which the public is surprisingly still unaware, in spite of how the glass that displays them is transparent.

Because it is high time we stop to take a closer look at our lives and appreciate all the blessings that we have, because we need to break out of our glass cages, I humbly offer you this baby window to the world. It may not seem big enough, but at the very least it will always be wide-open.

So take your time. And enjoy.