ISSUE II: Odyssey
"Odyssey" is The Global Youth Review's second issue, whose structure is loosely based on Homer's "Odyssey" and consists of three chapters: 1) Dawn, 2) Affliction, and 3) Afterglow. We warmly welcome you into a space filled with talented creatives hailing from over 20 countries, all united in their efforts to express through literature the various emotions, ideas, and thoughts that defined their 2020. Designed by Sena Chang
"Odyssey" is The Global Youth Review's second issue, whose structure is loosely based on Homer's "Odyssey" and consists of three chapters: 1) Dawn, 2) Affliction, and 3) Afterglow. We warmly welcome you into a space filled with talented creatives hailing from over 20 countries, all united in their efforts to express through literature the various emotions, ideas, and thoughts that defined their 2020. Designed by Sena Chang
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POETRY<br />
2<br />
Y O U<br />
D O N ' T<br />
B E L O N G<br />
H E R E<br />
IN MY<br />
backyard<br />
By THEE SIM LING<br />
Y O U ' R E<br />
S<br />
O<br />
K I N D<br />
W I M B Y<br />
I S W H A T<br />
W E S T A N D<br />
F O R<br />
By ARUN PAUL KAPUR<br />
0<br />
2<br />
1<br />
" This poem is based on the Not In My Backyard syndrome in Singapore. Some citizens have expressed reluctance at allowing ‘migrant<br />
workers’ from foreign countries, such as India and Bangladesh, to live beside them, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, one such<br />
citizen blamed these workers and their ‘poor hygiene habits’ for spreading the virus."<br />
N<br />
ot<br />
In My Backyard<br />
You don’t belong here<br />
You come from another country<br />
You’re so backward, noisy and dirty<br />
NIMBY is what we stand for<br />
It is our right to live as we choose<br />
We don’t want you as our neighbors<br />
You are basically just our workers<br />
The system is already working so well<br />
Why should we fix what is not broken?<br />
Stay in your little enclaves<br />
You, NON-CITIZENS<br />
And don’t you dare<br />
Step into my backyard<br />
Not In My Backyard<br />
Welcome In My Backyard<br />
You deserve a place to stay<br />
You travel here to feed your families<br />
You’re so kind, resilient and forgiving<br />
WIMBY is what we stand for<br />
You have a right to live here too<br />
We would love you to be our neighbors<br />
You build our roads and homes<br />
It’s time to change the system<br />
It’s time to right the wrongs<br />
Share our neighborhood with us<br />
You, the guests of Singapore<br />
And you will always be welcome to<br />
Step into my backyard<br />
Welcome In My Backyard<br />
P<br />
A<br />
G<br />
E<br />
17<br />
BMDDIGITAL.COM
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