Recommendations
Today, I am proud to see David still walking the poet’s path — a road less travelled, yet one he pursues with unwavering dedication, despite the many roles he already plays in life. True to his Leo spirit, he remains fearless, ever seeking new adventures, both in life and in verse.
In this poetry collection, David bares his soul with honesty and strength, inviting you on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. I have no doubt that his words will leave a lasting imprint on your heart, just as they have on mine.
JJ Lin
Golden Melody Award-Winning International Superstar, Songwriter, Record Producer and Author
Dr. Tan Chee Lay
Poet, Scholar, Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Deputy Executive Director of the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language
The beauty of poetry is often found in the waiting for the release of dreams by the poet unimpeded by cares; cares, whether present or absent, still remain as cares, but they no longer hinder us, once they are known. When you understand David Cai Jinhang's educational background, from a traditional English school to Hwa Chong Junior College’s Language Elective Programme, and subsequently to his overseas university studies in Japan, the words and images in his poetry acquire an even more gentle layer. Intense as wine, with the red of the sunset staining the sky before the sea, and the wind as imposing as ever, this is the most immediate feeling one gets when reading his poetry in the dark of night.
Mr. Chua Kim Kang
Poet, Chairman of Promote Chinese Council, former Chief Editor, News Current Affairs Chinese & Youth Editorial
David is skilled in navigating between languages such as Chinese, English, and Japanese. As a result, his poetry seamlessly transitions between and adapts to various cultural contexts, producing a dynamic and fruitful chemistry. His extensive knowledge of classical literature also adds richness and depth to his modern poetry. Although his diction can sometimes be difficult, his ideas are flexible and profound, requiring readers to ponder them carefully. I highly recommend David's poetry collection.
David is truly fortunate. The muse of poetry has never forsaken him.
It is often said that poets emerge in their youth, but David is a late-blooming poet. In the creative writing class I taught him and others in high school over twenty years ago, he might have been more of an absorber, and it was only many years later that his poetic spirit burst forth.
However, delayed poetic growth has tempered deeper life experiences, revealing a more mature figure. Furthermore, his multilingual talent in English, Chinese and Japanese, along with his ability to contrast and interact with various cultures, prompt him to seek diverse and rich perspectives in poetry—local sentiments, Japanese aesthetics, Western linguistic sensibilities—making him truly unique. He can always articulate what others have left unsaid, and that leaves one with great expectations of his future poetic endeavours.
Yu Fan (Zeng Guoping)
Renowned local poet and winner of the 2022 Singapore Literature Prize (Poetry)
In David’s world, sensibility and rationality are not two extremes, but rather a pair of complementary forces. You will know this in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee with him. He excels in employing delicate emotions to explore the mysteries of daily life, and he also loves to dissect the complexity and splendour of the human heart with his profound thinking. And his poetry is a beautiful reflection of this. His magnificent words sometimes leave me lost in wild fantasies and reveries, sometimes make me feel a poignant beauty that’s both intoxicating and elevating, and at times lead me to silent reflection. I have witnessed his efforts, appreciate his erudition, and admire his aesthetic sense. It's time for the literary community to appreciate the works of my friend David!
Zhang Si'er
Renowned lyricist and songwriter in the Chinese pop music industry, who penned many popular songs for leading international pop artiste JJ Lin