This is about the nature of the country of Singapore

and how it has risen up to become a true and

courageous power

As if “you” (this creature) rising from the

depths of the sea. “You” is being born onto the “You” as a mermaid rose out of the sea,
Earth. It means this creature’s past life was one conquered the waves, holding fish in its
only histories experienced in the oceans. hand. “You” are rising so ominously and
powerfully from the oceans. It implies that
this creature is deeply driven. “You” are
coming into the world with a specific
The poet uses metaphor. purpose in mind
She is comparing “You,”
which is later we know
know it refers to This mermaid rose above the
Singapore, to a jewel water up against the shore
They are no where the water and air forced
emerging from the sea
longer of the mermaid to shut its gills and
and as the mermaid the sea
converted into a lion. take its first breath through
which it now grew lungs.
This shows us a
significance of
Singapore starting to
develop.
Its lips feel the morning
mists.

This stanza implies the

description of the evolution of
Singapore and the the country’s
place in the world. The
creature’s stregnth is the
country’s strength.