Discarded Muah Chee: A Begger's Tale

Lighting my half-over cigarette,
I stare at the stars in the sky
Illuminating Marina Promenade.
I swat away a bothersome fly
From my dinner: discarded muah chee.

I owned a penthouse, and a top job once.
That was long ago. Like I said, once,
I had a wife I loved dearly.
She left me for another. He had more money.
We had no children.
We were, yes, the typical career-crazy Singaporeans

Now I smoke my cheap and last cigarette.
And I think, lying here on my cardboard bed,
How the stars in the sky can so illuminate the promenade.
I swat away again, the same irritating fly
From my dinner of discarded muah chee.

Sheefatunnessa Rabiah
4 Justice