Do You Still Remember When We Were Young

It's been a while since the last incident
After the long long time since we last spoke

I think you're probably still thinking that
The two of us.... aww nvm.

Isn't it amazing how we've come so far
From the rusty slides and the crummy see-saws
The creaking monkey bars and the abandoned playground

Below our crumbling pale grey flats
Where the old mango tree hangs its fruits
We'd throw with concrete from the nearby site

Against the ever-growing glass towers
And the numerous smooth pavements that cut
Our paths to school where I'll just like die

Under my heavy school bags while you'd breeze along
Your torn-and-sewn polyester bag where your pride
And your excuse to relieve me lay
All through our velcro strap-ons to white converse sneakers

I've known you've always held a torch
In the nights we walked home after dance
But Saturdays you've always had part-time
And my Sundays are for church and shopping

You could've styled your hair a little nicer too.
I chased the paper harder than you did
And Dad finally moved us into Serangoon Gardens
I never understood why you could never catch up

Only clues are those bruises and heavy sleepy eyes
And an attendance rate of 34 over 95
Vaguely remember that you were cold and lonely
In a world that didn't appreciate your Singlish and Hokkien

But hey I'm busy and I've got problems too you know
Like darn chemistry equations and stupid project work
And moolah for the Agnes b. sale coming in two weeks

I can't help it if we are drifting apart.
I'm flying so high now and the last thing I need
Is for you to remind me of my rotten past
Where the present is bleak and the future a luxury

Let's just say I've moved on; you stayed behind
You could have been the son of a rich man
Or even a stylish trendsetter amidst
The swirling colourful neon and pulsing music

But what exactly I'd loathe to share
Are the shackles around your feet and wings.

I'm no longer the person you threw stones
Or played catching lizards with

There are so many possibilities overseas
More than you can ever imagine

Let's just say it's all my fault, it's not yours
I'm sure you will find a nice girl
To do your chores and take care of the house

-By Johnson Soon