Monkey

Like a shadow in shadow
The night becomes him.

Black monkey in a blue night
Moisture from the rains rising all around him
They fell in afternoon, and give themselves up in the evening hours
They are lovers newly made, tentative and desiring

He climbs the terrace wall, up and over
Always an owl to watch the lit windows
In the branch by his side

Children before bed will be told,
‘He is stronger than an ogre, he can lift whole houses
Shops,
Wine glasses gifted by the Sultan’
In this country where any state ruler can, for a year
Be king.

A glint of silver
A trinket for a woman he has not yet met
In a jazz bar in the blue hours
‘Love,’ he’ll whisper, whisky on his breath
‘Love is a fire’ slipping the stolen necklace
Her breath on his wrist as if she had kissed him

‘Love is spark,’ singing, ‘lost in the dark’

Outside the sun rising, the new rains falling.

© Wenee Yap