Tai Seng
He sat across from me. He said, "I will bury him." I thought, this guy is very unhappy and crazy. "Look, let's have another beer and I will take you home. Where do you live?". "Tai Seng", he said.
photo by Darius Bashar at Unsplash
Tai Seng
talking about
Tai seng
when we were watching Hard Boiled on the CD
you know, you can wander into that place
and never come out again.
taking another
swig of vodka
she in her teddies just bored
i have been there a couple of times, told her
the guys there are quite friendly
once i went there
to play cards
and when i left one of the guys
lifted a zinc sheet off the wall and outside
was a tiny alleyway with cut steps
just follow it
to the bus stop
just so casual, like old friends
the other time we went there to get grass
we found out what a labyrinth means
the dealer took us
left and right
we went through someone's house
the people didn't bat an eyelid, just nodded
like it was another day in the office
her silk dudou
a distraction
on the screen Chow Yuen Fatt
was shooting up the gangsters in the teahouse.
but i didn't seem to hear the gunfire
this probably is not a good time to talk about
Tai Seng
03/08/2020
**********
Ask any old-timer where are the most dangerous 'hoods on the island in the 70's and they will rattle off names like Tai Seng, The Gasworks, Geylang and Redhill. And in most lists will be Tai Seng.
Band-Maid - Thrill (スリル)
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021
Tai Seng
talking about
Tai seng
when we were watching Hard Boiled on the CD
you know, you can wander into that place
and never come out again.
taking another
swig of vodka
she in her teddies just bored
i have been there a couple of times, told her
the guys there are quite friendly
once i went there
to play cards
and when i left one of the guys
lifted a zinc sheet off the wall and outside
was a tiny alleyway with cut steps
just follow it
to the bus stop
just so casual, like old friends
the other time we went there to get grass
we found out what a labyrinth means
the dealer took us
left and right
we went through someone's house
the people didn't bat an eyelid, just nodded
like it was another day in the office
her silk dudou
a distraction
on the screen Chow Yuen Fatt
was shooting up the gangsters in the teahouse.
but i didn't seem to hear the gunfire
this probably is not a good time to talk about
Tai Seng
03/08/2020
**********
Ask any old-timer where are the most dangerous 'hoods on the island in the 70's and they will rattle off names like Tai Seng, The Gasworks, Geylang and Redhill. And in most lists will be Tai Seng.
Band-Maid - Thrill (スリル)
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021
posted by dsnake1 at 10:29 PM
18 Comments:
It just goes to show some things are a lot more than their reputation might let on. But a little healthy caution in certain situations isn't a terrible idea either.
a little healthy caution in such places is always recommended. :)
Thank you, Rommy!
Your poem took the labyrinth path. Nice one
Happy you dropped by my blog today
Much🌷love
I love reading your poems .... cheers.
I've always found "dangerous" neighborhoods alluring. I know, very irresponsible of me. But I just like looking at the locals, getting to know them, finding glimpses of living like your poem, which end up giving the place soul.
Sounds like a dream or a movie scene. The last line broke the tension.
Fascinating! Ah, the risks we take and the situations we survive (sometimes more or less oblivious) when young. At any rate, that's what I'm reminded of, reading this beautifully crafted piece with its mix of reminiscence and immediacy.
You painted a great picture of a a place which is like any other place They just deal with problems in a more dangerous way
Gillena,
Thank you! :)
Helen,
Thank you! :)
Magaly,
'dangerous' neighbourhoods. i just happened to live in one at that time, and know of others. like you said, each place has their character and flavour. because of different dialects or race.
thank you for your comment! :)
Sounds as though the best time to visit there is about midday then I'll have a better chance of getting home alive and with some cash still in my pocket.
Colleen,
yes, a Chinese movie was used in some of the lines. :)
Rosemary,
Thank you!
when we were younger, we were much bolder and risks weren't that frightening.
glad it reminded of the silly things in our youth. :)
Marja,
Thank you!
yes, they just deal with problems in a more dangerous way.
Robin,
yes sir, you are right!
it's not really a gambling den, usually games between friends (and not so friends), and the night is best left to more serious stuff. :)
The other side of urban life.
Thank you, magiceye!
yes, the underbelly. :)
What a fabulous story you wrote with a authentic mood. I felt like I was in a noir movie where the slow-witted detective suddenly realizes there are more things at hand than reminiscences. I really enjoyed this.
Thank you, Debi!
LOL, loved the comment : "the slow-witted detective suddenly realizes there are more things at hand than reminiscences"
Sort of like the "Hotel California"?
(It's in an oldie song if you care to read or to listen.)
..
Jim,
Thank you!
perhaps it's a little bit like that, with all its dubious characters. but we still can leave that place. :)
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