Teo Zhi Hao 2e'06.

The place was basically shrub infested. Plants, trees, flowers. Everything seemed so similar, so similar. Until i saw this bandstand, which really stood out from the rest. I took a picture. Although the trees and greenery brought out a certain sense of serenity, it came across to me as somewhat, lonely and empty. It was original built as a landscape design for the botanical gardens, which was later altered for the purpose of military band performances, but gradually became a landscape feature once again, to fit along with the entire theme of nature. The whole of last term we have been discussing about man and nature, and this, amongst all that nature that engulfs it, shows how man slowly conforms with nature, despite initially trying to change it for entertainment purposes.

The Bandstand

Erected it stands, the epicenter
The cynosure
The music plays
drum and bass,
loud and clear.

Pentandra pavonina
flower
fruit
bud

Forsaken, its purpose
Once staged by military bands
Music echoes,
It’s the wind,
Pray you, hear.

That distant sound
Marching bands?
No,
The swaying trees
with outstretched hands.

Forgotten, it stands
Serene.
Empty.
The music plays
No, it’s the wind,
Pray you, hear.