Festival Readings: Eras of Anita Mui Yim-fong by Shu-Ling Chua

Here at EWF, we’ve selected some of our favourite pieces that were originally performed at the 2020 Emerging Writers’ Festival to publish. We hope you will read and enjoy them as much as we did!

This week we’re sharing a poem by Shu-Ling Chua, inspired by Hong Kong singer and actress, Anita Mui Yim Fong. This was one of three poems Shu-Ling graced us with at Kiss Me Thru The Phone.

Eras of Anita Mui Yim-fong
After Anne Carson’s ‘Eras of Yves Klein’

The Era of Singing for One’s Supper

The Era of Raising Stray Dogs and Dressing as a Boy

The Era of Two Young Brothers Imitating Ultraman by Jumping Off a Seven-Storey Building

The Era of Winning TVB’s New Talent Singing Award in Bronze Ruffles and Black Tulle

The Era of the Walkman

The Era of Black Strapless Metal-Studded Bodice and Lace Mini-skirt

The Era of Red Bareback Tango Dress, Perched Above a Narrow Fireplace

The Era of Cropped Hair, White Shirt, Striped Tie and Grey Coat on Grey Coat, Pale Pink Carnation in Buttonhole

The Era of Replying to Letters from One’s Fans

The Era of Playing a Courtesan Who Dies with Her Fickle Lover in a Suicide Pact

The Era of People Asking, Would You Rather Be A Happy Ordinary Person, or A Star

The Era of Opening the Olympics with Janet Jackson

The Era (cont’d) of Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work and More
Heartbreak

The Era of Being Slapped in the Face by a Gangster After Refusing to Sing Karaoke

The Era of Discouraging Fans from Waiting Outside One’s Studio Until 2 AM

The Era of Performing 壞女孩 “Waai Neoi Haai” in Guangzhou, Resulting in Cancellation of One’s Tour

The Era of Deciding Whether to Stay or Leave

The Era of Designing a Necklace of Gold Carved Feathers, Diamonds and Three Quail Egg-Sized Pearls, for One’s Future Wedding

The Era of Sobbing into On-screen Husband’s Shoulder, Trembling as Screen Fades

The Era of Organising Concert to Raise Funds for SARS-affected Families

The Era of Performing in a White Gown and Jellyfish-like Veil, Made for Marrying the Stage

哪個看透我夢想是平淡
naa go hon tau ngo mung soeng si ping daam
Who can see through that my dream is to be ordinary?

The Era of Exiting Via a Long, Long Flight of Red Stairs, Train Trailing Evermore