Poems on the MRT
Discover poetry in your daily commute. Explore a curated collection of poems by Singapore poets displayed across MRT stations, bringing literature closer to everyday life.
Last updated on 4 November 2026
Bringing local poetry to your daily commute
Now in its third year, Poems on the MRT continues to bring you on a journey across Singapore’s literary landscape. An initiative by the National Arts Council, in partnership with SMRT Trains and Stellar Ace, and produced by Sing Lit Station, a local literary charity, this campaign displays excerpts of iconic Singapore poetry throughout SMRT’s train network, bringing Sing Lit to the daily commute.
From 5 November 2026 to 3 November 2027, look out for poems in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil in trains on the East-West, North-South, and Circle Lines. This circuit of poetry also includes displays in train stations (till May 2027) and at platforms (till Dec 2026).
Join these Poems on the MRT competitions to win exclusive prizes!
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Hidden in Train Site (5 Nov - 2 Dec 2026)
Poetry is all around us: look closely enough, and you might just find poetry hidden in plain sight. Across November, spot the hidden poems on the platform screen doors in MacPherson and Caldecott Circle Line stations to win attractive prizes, including Singapore Writers Festival passes and Sing Lit Book Bundles with exclusive POTM souvenirs! This competition is inspired by the theme of this year’s Singapore Writers Festival — Hidden in Plain Sight.
Find out more here: https://go.gov.sg/potm-hidden-in-train-site (opens in new tab)
Through Your Eyes: Photo/Video Competition (1 Jan - 31 Mar 2027)
Feeling inspired by the local poems on your commute? We want to see them through your unique creative perspective. From January 2027, create a visual response to the poems you’ve spotted across the train network – anything from a photograph, comic, or meme to a reading, video essay or performance reel – and stand a chance to win cash prizes and Kobo eReaders! Stay tuned for more details.
Your opinion matters!
If you've read the poems or seen them on the trains, we'd love to hear your thoughts this short survey. (opens in new tab) It'll take only a few minutes and will help us bring exciting literary experiences to you!
Seen the poems on the trains and want to read more? Curious to explore over a hundred Sing Lit poems? You can find all poems and English translations linked below. Happy reading!
Read the poems
English
Poem Details
Chinese
Poem Details
温柔的城市 (opens in new tab) | 书香 (opens in new tab) | 云 (opens in new tab) |
醉 (opens in new tab) | 对角戏 (opens in new tab) | 邂逅 (opens in new tab) |
折叠的时光(下) (opens in new tab) | 藏身——与妻在希腊 (opens in new tab) | 风筝 (opens in new tab) |
生活 (opens in new tab) | 寂寞三行 (opens in new tab) | 青木恋人 (opens in new tab) |
铁轨的记忆 (opens in new tab) | 莫兰迪色系 (opens in new tab) | 暖男 (opens in new tab) |
夜调 (opens in new tab) | 说灵感 (opens in new tab) | 关于写情诗这件事 (opens in new tab) |
回到南洋 (opens in new tab) | 安静不因我们离去更安静 (opens in new tab) | 慢 (opens in new tab) |
彩窗 (opens in new tab) | 石头 (opens in new tab) | 一个人的山海经 (opens in new tab) |
真相 之一 (opens in new tab) | 走进图书馆的树：前身是树，今生是书本 (opens in new tab) | 二老走植物园 (opens in new tab) |
伞内·伞外 (opens in new tab) |
Malay
Poem Details
Tamil
Poem Details
அழகு (opens in new tab) | பட்டாம்பூச்சி (opens in new tab) | மேகம் (opens in new tab) |
விண் மீன்கள் (opens in new tab) | கனவு (opens in new tab) | சிறகு (opens in new tab) |
பூக்களை நீரில் ஆழ்த்துதல் (opens in new tab) | பாடம் (opens in new tab) | முதுமையின் அரவணைப்பில் (opens in new tab) |
பார்வை (opens in new tab) | காதல் (opens in new tab) | பல்லூழிக் காலப் பெரும் பூ (opens in new tab) |
ஞாபகத் தடங்கள் (opens in new tab) | சன்னலில் வெளியே அமர்ந்திருந்த கவிதை (opens in new tab) | திரைச்சீலையும் மரக்கிளையும் (opens in new tab) |
இருப்பின் மேன்மை (opens in new tab) | தூரத்து ஆள் (opens in new tab) | நரை வெளிச்சம் (opens in new tab) |
தலைப்பில்லா (opens in new tab) | தலைப்பில்லா (opens in new tab) |