1400 HRS 1st October 2009

We were kids

at PAP Siglap Kindergarten.

We were lining up

two by two

the shortest kids

up in front.

Peng Kwee and I

were in front.

He was a stout

little kid.

I was scrawny.

He wanted to play

ballroom dancing.

He grabbed my wrist

and swung my arm

over my head

dislocating my arm

my elbow

and my wrist!!!

Till today,

I still remember

the blue and black

stripped T-shirt

he wore.

And that worried look

on his face

as I screamed

in pain.

Dad brought me

to this Chinese sinseh

kept reassuring me

it will be okay

very soon.

The Chinese sinseh

fixed me

one dislocation

at a time.

It hurt no less

each time.

Dad was holding me,

repeatedly telling me

I'll be okay soon

and we will go home

and play with the dogs.

I trusted Dad,

and soon

we're back home

having lunch.

I was still sobbing,

Dad said,

its okay,

Peng Kwee was only playing.

He didn't want to hurt you,

he was only playing.

And you know why

he is so strong?

Because he eats

his rice

and vegetables,

thats why he is

so strong,

because he eats

his rice and vegetables.

I gorged at my rice bowl

and stuffed myself

with rice

and vegetables

that day.

Hey Bird,

its been 40 years now,

how about

a little dance?