Home Purchase
(For Yin Peng)

With a homeowner's pride, you guided me around
the encased model of the estate laid out advantageously
with tower blocks, tennis courts, palm trees, playgrounds.

We peered down the long vista of terraced pools as if
we might catch a glimpse of future's reflection there.
No such sign, though they were almost wishing wells.

You explained patiently the calculations that went into
deciding between a bigger unit on a lower floor and
a smaller unit on a higher floor, overlooking South China Sea,

calculations he has gone through several times with you,
proving his prudence and your nervousness at committing
yourself to a blueprint that owns the quality of a dream.

What a dream! Re-imagining the show apartment into home,
a wall to be collapsed, floors to be covered, single space
made way for two. It is as much an act of courage, as of love.

By Koh Jee Leong

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