A border state
Oil palm rubber estates
A rural setting in the north
For those visiting from the south
In the fifties the English school
Students go there as a rule
For the town a landmark
Surrounding grounds like a park
Teachers from all over
Education needs they cover
On Jalan Pegawai teachers' quarters
Called the enclave for schoolmasters
Wooden houses on stilts
Ungrilled doors windows this way built
At a lower level the kitchen
With a coal fired oven
Rooms airy and bright
Bathed in morning and evening light
Plank floors kind to the feet
Made to beat the heat
For foreign troops a temporary station
Blue bereted British Tommys in jungle green
Gurkhas tilted hats make them smart and clean
The rest house a welcome stop
For food and rest travelers stop
Dr Chandran of the hospital in charge
All staff good work they discharge
In season durians galore
Stalls for travelers’ fruits kept in store
Villagers this way a living making
A nice way by giving and taking
In the rainy season isolated
River lowlands so located
OM`s bridge from the south
Washed over roads in the north
Trains ride with caution
Feeling their way in slow motion
In very bad weather airdrops for mail
Very few now can recall this tale
People of Segamat know
In daily routine to flow
Simple things to them give pleasure
This way they enjoy life and leisure
June 2015
