Oh, but it is dirty!
– this little filling station,
oil-soaked, oil-permeated
to a disturbing, over-all
black translucency.
Be careful with that match!

Father wears a dirty,
oil-soaked monkey suit
that cuts him under the arms,
and several quick and saucy
and greasy sons assist him
(it’s a family filling station),
all quite thoroughly dirty.

Do they live in the station?
It has a cement porch
behind the pumps, and on it
a set of crushed and grease-
impregnated wickerwork;
on the wicker sofa
a dirty dog, quite comfy.

Some comic books provide
the only note of color–
of certain color. They lie
upon a big dim doily
draping a taboret
(part of the set), beside
a big hirsute begonia.

Why the extraneous plant?
Why the taboret?
Why, oh why, the doily?
(Embroidered in daisy stitch
with marguerites, I think,
and heavy with gray crochet.)

Somebody embroidered the doily.
Somebody waters the plant,
or oils it, maybe. Somebody
arranges the rows of cans
so that they softly say:
ESSO–SO–SO–SO

to high-strung automobiles.
Somebody loves us all.

Filling Station
Elizabeth Bishop

The dreams of the young. I once wanted to study Elizabeth Bishop. And that was all I wanted for myself. Now I want so much more. Yet I’m unable to specify one.

The dreams of the young remain with them.

You lucky cow.

It’s like somebody’s house selling some food!
Turn into Jalan Tua Kong in Siglap (nestled among some old shophouses and terraced houses) and when you see a corner coffee shop, walk on further and you’ll see it.

Or a lady will persuade you to try her good Peranakan dishes and that should be Katong Delights.

I found a good place recently! Jones The Grocer at Mandarin Gallery serves up no-butter scones for your coffee to come all the more orgasmic.

Actually all I really wanted to say is there is a tucked-away corner in the chatter of Orchard Road/Singapore at this cafe. High ceilings, unobtrusive, can we hide here during wartime?

Stege Gallery does fine work and you’re in safe hands. They’ve got a good range of both solid bling and toughie body accessories. Some people party, some work out. I adore titanium.

Ass with white whiskers.