By Dorothy Nixon

Changi Prison Women's Camp Daily Life: Two Poems that speak of Power Struggles in the Camp. There was, apparently, a fortune-teller at Changi Women's Camp. The "white-haired lady" in the second poem is my grandmother, who had white hair since her twenties.

Aery Faery Lilian

I am such a pleasant rattle, I am full of quips and fun,
I can tell you a witty story, I can perpetrate a pun,
But in case this gay exterior should mislead you - be sure,
My principles are excellent, my motives very pure.
To science I am dedicate, research is all my job
I simply love statistics, and the methods I employ
With women who are losing weight and ask me for advice,
Are bright and brisk and hearty and I surfeit them with rice.
But now the diets and statistics are no more,
For I am called to fill that place once filled by Elinor,
A lofty throne, weighty crown (a crown not unbecoming)
I must admit I look a treat I'll wear it went I'm slumming.
A little tilted to one side, the rakish line suggesting,
That though elect, I'm not stiff-necked nor yet adverse to festing,
I forsee there may be trouble, there are rebels by the score,
And "Robbie" has an eye to power and little Elinor.
(Although perforce unwillingly she handed in her checks,
Has set her lips and set her jaw and certainly expects
To be a power behind the throne she recently vacated
I greatly fear the little dear will see herself checkmated.

Lilian would be Dr. Cecily Williams. The Gypsy’s Warning
A Tale of Simple "Worth"
or the Gypsy's Warning

Cross my hand with silver pretty lady, if you'd see,
What the future holds in store for you and how soon you will be free,
Cross my hand with silver (if you have none don't be shy)
I'll take it out in food or booze or (Gordon's Special dry)
Just cross my hand with silver or call at Cell Fifteen
With any simple offering, (be sure you are not seen)
No cumshaw ever comes amiss but if you have it handy
The fates show true benevolence if first well laced with brandy,
The lines engraved upon your palm are clear as mud to me,
There's fame and food and fortune and a journey on the sea
But a lurking danger threatens and a white-haired lady frowns,
(It isn't Eve or Nella and it isn't Mrs. Chowns.)
Fate draws a veil across the name, but one thing's plain to see,
The danger is averted if you put your shirt on me.

Worth is Dr. Worth.
The white haired lady Dorothy Nixon ,