Changing Bus Routes

Paul Tan Kim Liang

They don't ply here anymore.

This is an old estate.
Look at algae-ridden bricks --
best to be forgotten, they said.

Someone pulled out
demographic charts
as they struck out the routes.

Out, out--

There are no buses here,
only feasting spirits
on these unswept avenues.

The old women in purple
samfoos look like
ghastly orchids--

They queue at a deserted interchange.

Published in Curious Roads (1994)


Postcolonial Web Singapore OV Singaporean Literature Paul Tan Kim Liang