Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Is this where life is?

what is it all about?
the world outside the shell
i see light
its not heaven, its not hell

turning to look
what do i see
a charming picture
its not me

push back the curtains
bring down the facade
what u see now
torn, tattered and scarred

open my heart
my mind, my soul
whats the idea
it all unfolds

shards of fact
threaded with hope
becomes a world;
a dream.
as if today becomes tomorrow.
what it is,
is not what it seems.

Saturday, April 30, 2005

wanderer

tormented.
the disfigured brain.
the capability that it once had.
shattered.
or hiding.

regret.
disbelief.
fighting for what i used to have.
now a negative space.
the perpetual echo.

this is what it has made me.
the brutality
the nonchalence.
respect- a forgotten word.
i've lost myself somewhere.

where is that person.
who used to be me.
what is this place?
is it what i see:
a cold and spattered world?

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

what is asian architecture?

What exactly have i learnt? A in depth knowledge of sit analysis? Relationship of buildings? it all seems very superficial.

It was an inspriring path. along the way u realise a lot of new things. infinite possibilities and amazing inspiration. but sadly ur too far down the line to adapt confidently. u wish u were brave... perhaps more focused. but u settle for something better than nothing.

this semester i got acquainted with the pitched roof. tedious to draw or make, but it posseses the amazing quality of being truly asian. it keeps off the rain, provides shade, and in short, is all that is needed to make a space comfortable! something i was begining to take for granted. as a child i thought amazing architecture was clean, sharp and clear. but i've realised that there is a depth in the earthiness of asian architecture. i dont blame my childhood, but the outlook that most of us had in those years were western. too western for the tropics. too unreal...

rustic and vernacular styles are what makes asia beautiful, sadly the craftsmanship and the knowledge is dying out. in singapore there are very few remnants of what used to be, and what in its true nature defines it. Atleast at home the situation is not that bad because they still exist. but there isn't enough emphasis on the important feautures of sri lankan architecture. little has been done to glorify it in the eyes of the people.

the idea of modernity in asian architecture. the materials, joints, connections, all add up to create an integral whole that cannot exist in parts. the roof being the defining factor. being asian does not mean that you recreate the old long house or the cadjan huts. it means that you learn from the mastery in those works and employ the lessons in what you eventually create. sound easy. but which elements are important? which elements are coherant and will work in todays life? we have survived so long without the template of traditional house layouts that if it were to be integrated in todays houses, it would feel alien.

yet the traditional wasnt perfect. it suited the people at the time it was used. adaptations obviously change the outlook of the users. old longhouses had no toilets.
something we cant live without today. colonialist rulers improved the sanitation condtitions of such places. colonialism is also an added heritage. be it good or bad, it is important to take lessons from their ideas of architecture. they were in fact the first to create the ideas of hybridisation of cultures.

essentially architecture grows with the community. it should be able to mature to suit the people that are going to use it. the culture, the habits and the lifestyle. like JW says, it is a case of adding layers upon an existing fabric. the transparency of these layers create a rich and dynamic enivronment, and creates a hybrid architecural style, and a hybrid culture. Thus the people and the environment are true to its heritage, without compromising the advantages of the modern globalised world.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Soliloquy

I'm falling over,
But you dont seem to care.
You sit.
You watch.
You stare.

My life is breaking,
My head's a spin.
You can just ignore.
Your brain gets nothing in.

I'd feel the pangs of hatred.
I'd feel the pangs of care.
For whichever it may be.
You just seem to stare.

I've lost the most i live for.
You don't seem to see.
What's in my mind.
Or what's inside of me.

Why can't you just open ur eyes.
And your mind.
See me,please.
Don't leave me behind.

When the world drowns me.
And i can't see myself.
You will paint my picture,
I'll need no one else.

Stop.
There's no use in dreaming.
Nothing will change.
I'll keep falling over.
You'll just sit
And you'll just stare.

She

Silently,
Awaiting the break of dawn.
Looking into the looking glass,
Staring at the sparkling stars,
She sees herself.
The stars in her eyes are fading.
She dissolves into another world,
A world of loneliness.
She knows, today is a new day,
Different.
She is scared,
Yet she's bold.
She's sad.
But she goes on.
As the stars give off their final flicker,
She wears her lovely smile,
And fades into the day.

Monday, April 04, 2005

today

whirlwind in my head.
crimson dreams
shimmer away.
lying asleep;
falling.

far away;
a place
i want to be.
a life
i want to live.

today i pray.
for strength
for courage
and hope.
till tomorrow comes.


"what you feel is what you are and what you are is beautiful" -Slide, Goo Goo Dolls

Friday, March 25, 2005

life

magenta skies
and gossamer wings.
transparency.
the unseen things.

troubled visage
and twisted brow.
metaphoric.
a mortal now.

broken soul
and futile dreams.
reality.
is what it seems.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

fatigue

the silent fear of failure
one does not want to hear
clouded out by the crafty mind
yet like a jabbing pain,
it is all clear.

reality is blatant.
pale existence.

beads of water.
on my cheeks.
a blessing,
a kiss from the sky.
salvation is near.

betrayal.
shattered hopes.
a broken spell,
reality surfaces.

the thread of hope is fear.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

stretched limits or some shit like that

Is there a limit? the boundaries of ur existence. capabilities. Is this what i want? is it something that i should look forward to?

time can only tell. the limits of my capabilities hopefully will get me thru. as long as i move forward, and survive ill be ok. i just need to believe that. whatever whoever may say.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005


The inspiration for the haiku. Changi Civil Service Club Posted by Hello

Grade 8 Trip to Bandarawela (98/99)  Posted by Hello

A Sunflower Birthday :) Posted by Hello

At the Banyan Tree, Bintan. 22/01/05 Posted by Hello

Sunday, February 06, 2005

Beach (a haiku)

Waves lapping on stone;
Leaves whisper to the wind.
Calm. Peace. Solitude.