The Fire

Look, you were at the scene of the fire too.
It wasn't as if you weren't there.

Dressed in expensive evening garb,
with faces delicately powdered,
eyes thickly framed with mascara.
you were there, before we came.

Right at the front line, you stood,
gawking, exclaiming, staring.
Not unlike the audience of a circus.

So why is it, when we came,
you became the righteous,
berating us with words so vile.

how we were merely busybodies
noseyparkers, such a disgrace.

sorry young ladies,
i am sure you must have gotten a great shock
to see fire jumping out of a florist's
while you took your dainty evening walk

i've got a question though,
and i'm sure it will stand.
for, do you often go for evening walks,
laden with bracelets and dressed to kill?

admit it,
you too were there out of curiosity.
don't pretend it was out of care for humanity

I rang 995 when i saw the fire.
did you offer any assistance at all,
other than your very valued comments?

'typical singaporeans,' you said
with voice dripping with disdain
but look around, my dears,
for no one is more singaporean than yourself.