"Yes."

There’s no hope
For me now, boy
To me now, boy
It’s all just
Dopamine, serotonin
Testosterone
Oxytocin


But on that night
Nothing but
Tumeric, aniseed
Clove, lime, mint
Chilli, my cool sweat
And an idle waitress
On a quiet shift


So she sat down
Across from
The only customer
How deliciously
Unprofessional
She hopes that
The boss doesn’t see


“Would you like
To come back with me
To old Penang town?”
Her warm, bold
Composure
That supple, smiling
Invitation


I should have said “Yes”
All those forty-eight
Years ago
Before I learned
Too much about love
And its chemical
Composition




19.6.09