Poet’s soul: Selinaah posing with the ABR medal and certificate.
Passion is often the spark, but discipline is what keeps the fire alive, says poet M. Selinaah, a medical student and former national badminton player.
The 25-year-old sister of badminton doubles specialist M. Thinaah, who will be graduating medical school next month, earned the title “Grand Master” in the Asia Book of Records (ABR) for writing the longest melancholic poem in the region. Comprising 3,324 words and 118 stanzas, “Let Me Let You Go” chronicles the painful dissolution of a close friendship.
“Initially I wrote ‘Let Me Let You Go’ as a way to express my frustrations because my muse would constantly annoy me.
“We were close at the time. But now when I read the poem again, I realised how deep down inside, I knew that we were drifting apart,” she shared.
The “Grand Master” record, announced in July, marked the second time Selinaah’s writing prowess was recognised by ABR.In 2020, her poem entitled “My Soulmate”, which had 2,641 words and 115 stanzas, received the ABR “Longest Love Poem” honour.
Both poems also made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR).
“When you’re passionate about something, you will do whatever it takes to get better at it even if it means spending more time and effort on perfecting your skill,” she said.
Stressing on the importance of discipline in ensuring progress, Selinaah this is important even when one is feeling exhausted and unproductive.
“During such days, I set smaller goals to achieve and ensure that I get the rest I need.
“It’s important to acknowledge what your body and mind needs,” she said, adding that taking breaks help her keep burnout at bay.
Since young, she said, she had grown accustomed to a demanding schedule filled with school, tuition, training, tournaments, and physiotherapy exercises.She said there were moments when her passion for poetry helped her get through the challenges of medical school.
“Medicine brings out my practical side and feeds my endless curiosity while poetry brings out my emotional side and helps me express my feelings which includes the stress every medical student feels at a certain point of their studies,” she said, adding that her elder sister, Thinaah inspires her to strive for greatness.
“Witnessing her transformation to becoming one of the greatest athletes in the world really boosts my confidence,” she said.
Much like her sibling, Selinaah also attributes good time management as a key to juggling her busy schedule as a medical student, badminton coach and poet.She also credited her family’s support for helping her achieve multiple records while pursuing medicine.
“Whenever life gets a little too much, my parents and siblings never fail to provide me with the reassurance I need.
“I aim to help as many people as I can for as long as I am alive,” she said, adding that while medicine cures illnesses of the body, poetry can ease the burdens of troubled souls.
