The sound of the name
First conjured up the notion
Of adventure, knights and magic
In the days of yore
In the days of king Arthur

That's what made the name
Stuck fast in my memory
Despite not knowing you well

I knew you came from the same
Secondary school as I
And was in the same course too in the U
You lived next block to me
On level three
Together with some friends of mine
In KE VII

We spoke a couple of times
We greeted each other a couple of times
I seemed to remember that you came from
A well-to-do family
And I remembered too
That huge brown stuffed dog
You had used as a bolster in your room
Your father had bought it for you
On a business trip I think
From Jarkata?

Seven years henceforth
We had parted ways
I had been stuck in a stat board
And perhaps you had been more blessed

I had remarked earlier
That the coverage of flight MI 185
Was over-blown
Why, this is not the only air crash around
There are many more newsworthy stuff to report

Then on this Christmas morning
While checking out the financial section
I had glanced at the obituaries
Wondering if relatives of the victims
Had placed announcements in the paper
Just like the full paged ones for a certain
High ranking person of a particular big company

Then right there at the top right hand corner
Was a pretty young face of a girl
With a name I'd never forget

... Merleen... age 28
(SilkAir MI 185)
Was called home to be with the Lord on 19.12.97
leaving behind loved ones....

I'd never expected to find a name
Of someone I knew
My compatriots, my peers
Amongst the dead

Now I've known more about you
That you have two other sisters
Both married, and one had a son
You too, are engaged
Your sudden demise must have
Shattered your fiance's heart
I'd wish I had known these through
Other happier ways

The only consolation
Is that you knew the Lord
And we'd meet again some day
You have made a quick exit
To meet Jesus
And you may even be supping with Him
Right now
This Christmas of 1997

Oh, the tears that are shed
By those who love you dear
And by those who knew you
In other stages of your earthly life
Perhaps you'd be crying too
When you see these tears that are
Shed for you

I don't think I'd be attending
Your memorial service
I won't know what to say
I've never been good at comforting others
But I would like to dedicate this place
In cyberspace
In your memory

Rest in peace, my friend
God bless...

The above is a lousy poem that doesn't rhyme. But it does express my feelings, my tribute to a friend.

by Lim H.B.
25.12.1997