Kopitiam

Sit with a polystyrene cup
of kopi-o and kaya toast.

Watch the auntie sweat and smile
as she struts between
plastic chairs, tables --
coin clinking furiously.

Her incredible memory --
threads that link faces, names
in this clean neon
makan place.

Ah Peh says,
Last time got more butter.

By Lau Peet Meng

_____