Yeow Kai Chai (b. 1968)
SELECTED POEMS
Secret Manta
raglady holds in her hands
a large black plastic bag,
scuttles between overflowing bins,
some, upturned, roll
a rodent meanwhile naps
hidden under a discarded pink
polyester pullover—its tail
exposed*
enshrined in mind
film poster for awakenings:
robert de niro poised on tip of a spit
hands outstretched
everything else’s white heaven*
she scrapes at her calloused feet
midday sun glares down
so she shifts to a shady spot
between familiar bins,
hands welded to her bag& when her eyes close,
dream unfurls upon her, dark-magnificent,
a polythene manta ray
gliding through her sleep
by Yeow Kai Chai
from Secret Manta (2001)
