He pens verses that offer solace in the face of death

Ex-civil servant launches book of poems after being struck with debilitating disease

- Chin Soo Fang

He was on the top of the world when an aggressive, incurable disease turned Mr Yeo Whee Jim's world upside down overnight.

In February 2023, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given a prognosis of two to five years.

Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting.

The neurons in Mr Yeo's muscles are breaking down, and he has lost his fine motor skills and the ability to control his limbs.

"I'm stripped bare of everything now," the 50-year-old told The Sunday Times on June 20. "I'll be lying if I say I have no feelings of resentment, bitterness and fatigue." Devastated that life was ebbing away day by day, he decided that he must leave his legacy behind in some form. He settled on poetry.

Mr Yeo launched his first collection of poems titled Itinerary at the Arts House on June 28, a 96-page book containing his reflections on legacy, mortality and leading a full life.

It also includes photographs he had taken with his mobile phone when he was more able-bodied.

Mr Paul Tan, his friend and former colleague, had mooted the idea that he write an essay on legacy for The Straits Times. Mr Yeo's opinion piece, published in November 2023, was well-received.

Mr Tan, a published poet, then urged him to try poetry, seeing it as a way for him to transcend his physical limitations and express himself in spite of his debilitating condition.

"My first reaction was siao (mad). I'm not even an amateur poet to begin with," Mr Yeo recalled.