Sauntering through Utopia

I am out of sync for any number of reasons, and Singapore clings to my brain. I hope you don't mind a repeat of a ghazal - a certain poetry form - about that island nation. 

Sauntering through Utopia

Winter's stole falls from my shoulders in Singapore.

Unwrapped, my pores open to drink-in Singapore.

Hawker stalls sizzle.  Chili crab and pepper crab 

fill my mouth with sensuous tasting Singapore.

No gum beneath my feet - by decree - no graffiti

but caning stripes for rebellious Singapore.

I find fading remnants of British forts and thousand

year-old rain forests once covering Singapore.

Casinos rim the bay but on the dock the hood

of the hangman shadows drug deals in Singapore.

The world's busiest port, the world's brightest students

except for those who are not.  Now what, Singapore?

"Invited guests" clean up after me, hammer rivets,

lade cargo, drop sweat on the wealth of Singapore.

I see no sounds of the artist's soul, the discord

of a Picasso in buttoned-up Singapore.

No place of unorthodoxy, this.  Peacocks, papaya, 

Prada, more.  I can't wait to leave you, Singapore.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor 

Imoverished Retirees

I am back from my trip to Singapore. I looked forward to the food but faintly dreaded going to the hawker stalls because the pensioners always swarmed me, one at a time, mind you. But, oddly, at no time when I was there did they appear. Talk about losing one's job.

Impoverished Retirees

In Singapore strict laws

block beggars, but peddlers

swarm hawker centers

where no napkins are found.

Always

          Someone sells tissue

          for messy hands.

Always

          someone's grandma

       or grandpa peddles wipes.

Always

        the cost stays the same:

  three packets for pocket change.

These mosquitoes sting stealthily,

        leaving a welt of guilt.

When a shake of the head dismisses

them I feel like a grinch, but when 

buying this service I fear everyone

         sees me as a soft touch.

Easy enough to steal away like

a disinterested cat until mealtime

             beckons, again.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor