In the past few weeks, the wave of poetry had hit the school hard, as we saw brilliant submissions of works of literature that were comparable to the likes of Lang Leav and Shakespeare! Hidden within the school’s population, here are some incredible poems from budding poets that will definitely keep you reading on and yearning for more!
To begin, David Aw from Year 1, a seasoned Casanova, will melt your heart with his romantic poem, which has some Tort Law weaved in. Sometimes, you do just negligently fall in love, don’t you?
—
Loving you is more than a matter of
proximity
a thing of real substance;
close ties and
affection
My reliance on you is a surrender to your
professional expertise
(at shattering my soul)
But there has never been any voluntary
assumption of responsibility
on your part
for my
heart
Which is why as a matter of policy
(private)
I must find no duty of care
And the only thing I would hold against
you
is myself
Which is why my liability to you is just
like your affection for me:
indeterminate at best.
—
I am sure girls out there are absolutely swooning now. For any guys who think they’re in need of some poetry (or love-life) tips from David, you may approach this writer for his contact details.
Moving on, Jerrold Soh from Year 2 will bring you back to your JC’s English Literature days as he brings you a Shakespearean-style play flourished with elements of Property Law. Who said lawyers don’t have good pick-up lines?
—
Fifty Shades of Gray (and Gray)
Act V Scene III
Enter Lord and Servant
Lord
Would that thou were there!
Servant
Pray tell, milord, I know not where.
Lord
Last night upon the moonlight, starry
I stumbled on a night-house, rosy
Having had six full shots of whisky
Electric tension filled the air.
When suddenly I spied a lady
At once I knew I was to marry
For all I knew she was a fairy
Dispatched to carry all my heirs.
For fifteen minutes I did tarry
Before I made my pilgrim’s journey
But having had six more shots of brandy
I remember now not my lady fair.
Servant
Milord, forgive me for so asking
But did you at once set to lodging
Your interests with a caveat pare?
Lord
Nay, my servant, for in that state
I feared that I would alienate
Her heart into many an undivided share.
Fret not, for with torrential love,
My interests I can only prove.
I shall look upon as done
That and those whom ought to be done.
Before one claims an equity
I shall have her at the Registry.
Servant
Milord! Suppress thy possessive urge.
Pray, first perform a title search.
Lord
I shall have none of that —
Quick! It is her!
[Exit Servant]
Milady! Pray grant me a freehold
In thy fair and fine estate.
Or let me have a mortgage
With a right to redeem your heart.
Bid thy give me a tenancy
To exclusively possess thy fate.
Else instead grant me probate
For I shall perish intestate.
Lady
More wistful words were never heard
In a fool’s futile soiree.
Last night thou wert not much more
Than bare licensee.
I’ve locked my heart and kept the key
You never owned a fee.
Twas but consent that turned trespass
Into one night – fun and fast.
Lord
Milady is sharp in tongue and wit
To evict me from thy heart.
I shall have to file a writ
To reclaim my rightful part.
Dispense us with formality
A lease in equity’s fine.
Or must I resort to register
My indefeasible right?
Lady
Thy lease is short of seven years
Don’t bother with the act.
I barely even noticed.
Can you prove it in fact?
Not even thy resulting trust
Could convey thy weak advance.
Exclusive occupation for a day
Does not create a lease.
Labels thy blindly chose to say
Are far from conclusive.
Pray heed these words of severance.
Bid thou be on thy way.
If thou must – call it a fling.
But know we were never
Restrictively covenanting.
Lord
Doth not what I remember.
For my skillful searching hands
Did concern and touch thy lands…
Wait, where art thou going?
[Exeunt]
—
*With inspiration from Law Jia Hao
How’s that for a play! Having read 2 incredible works that propelled you into your realms of imagination, it is this writer’s reluctance to have to bring you back to reality. Here is a final submission from Felicia Chew, a Year 3 student, who succinctly summarized the vicissitudes of law school in her poem:
—
“Stepping into law school with aspiration,
Thinking my CAP 5 is within realisation,
After one week no more inspiration,
After your first LAWR assignment, exasperation,
Before your every exam, desperation.
A story of my life in summarization.”
—
That’s essentially law school in 6 lines, isn’t it? Poetry is the best way to express one’s thoughts and feeling. It has no boundaries, no limitations, no restrictions and definitely no frustration (if you get this writer’s futile attempt at making a contract reference). So what are you waiting for? Pick up a pen and start creating your own masterpieces now!
Editor’s note: If you feel particular interested to see some of the works of our own beloved Prof’s, check out LSRIC’s Valentine’s Day Special from 2 years back, featuring some pretty amazing (and funny) poems by our Profs!
Article by: Suah Boon Chong (Year 1)
