The very air in this place
Is charged with disinfectant
And is certified germ-free
Because in this city
Of gleaming skyscrapers
Cleanliness is an obsession.
Even the brown leaves,

As soon as they fall on this road,
Are systematically swept away
By a legion of street-sweepers.
Here it is frustrating not to find
A single fugitive cigarette-butt
Hiding in the bush.
And how can a litterbug survive

When the fine is fifty Singaporean
Dollars! Those two fat ladies
Jogging there are no exception
Who greet me with their pearly
Antiseptic smiles.
Personally I think
Dirty cities have more character.

As a silent protest, I will
Not wash for a whole week.
Afterwards, I'm sure,
A policeman wearing a spotless
Blue uniform will politely
Arrest me
For not keeping the city clean.

© Felix Fojas

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