|
PENANG
Nov 1, 2008 12:55:16 GMT -5
Post by Dave Besseling on Nov 1, 2008 12:55:16 GMT -5
As humble as a Saharan waxwork, the sweeper asked me if I was a Muslim, and gesticulated a pull of my goatee.
I told him it was non-sectarian plumage, so he kept sweeping the sidewalk.
And with compassion glowing from my thorax, I left my fag-end and coffee cup on the ground, to help him feel useful.
I look up at the air bridge, and at the pastel-painted concrete of 50 poking Malaysian holiday stories Neo-baroque nubs left behind like gooseflesh after the unmeaning ran its creationist hand over the island. Gated communities extra secure the higher up your condo is.
The hills behind are lush and green, so close to the crushed urbanity— keeping the Europeans in check, yet still at peace.
I carry on counting up the balconies and I think to myself: J.G Ballard would love this place.
|
|