“Durian Fruit from a large tree, Sarawak” Painting by Marianne North (www.kew.org)
1
Perhaps this green spiky ball
Without its chain
Is the prototype of the weapon
Once hurled in medieval wars.
2
The smell of the durian is overpowering.
The taste of the durian causes memory dysfunction.
Durio zibethinus (dkimages.com)
3
The land of the Durian Eaters
Is the land of the Lotos Eaters
There is a problem with time.
There is a problem with credit cards.
4
Dedicated durian eaters
Have telepathic powers
Perhaps the durian chemical
manipulates the cerebral cortex.
Singapore Esplanade Theatres, modelled after the durian fruit (travelerfolio.com)
5
Is this why the CIA
Are interested in local durian technology?
6
It is also a known fact
That during durian season
There is an increase in UFO sightings
and alien abductions.
Painting by Marianne North “View of the Maharajah of Johore’s House from Major McNair’s Garden, Singapore” showing Durian tree behind Traveller’s Palm (www.kew.org)
7
We should consider
That Extra-Terrestrials are among us.
Are durian narcotic fruits
From a far-off galaxy?
8
The flesh of the durian
Is the colour of Planet Durian.
Their tropical rankness
The humidity of Planet Durian.
9
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) sign prohibiting durians on trains (smurfmatic.net)
Some love durians,
Others can’t stand durians.
The government, fearing public calamity
Won’t allow them near the MRT.
10
In reality, lovers of the durian
Are seed-souls from another star.
Durio zibethinus tree (Wild Singapore)
The plain-thinking earth-born
Cannot stomach durians.
11
Beware the market-stall.
Durian sellers
Are alien agents
Peddling for addicts.
Durio zibethinus flowers (tHE tiDE cHAsER)
12
The increase of Durian addiction
Means the decline of the earthlings.
When all durians float in the air
The Invasion will be complete.
13
Painting of durian in the William Farquhar collection of natural history paintings (National Museum Singapore, Goh Seng Choo Gallery)
Next time a durian tempts you
Think of the repercussions for Planet Earth.
The choice is yours.
You have been warned.
by Chris Mooney Singh
(from Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, http://www.qlrs.com)
Painting of durian by Chinese artist made for Sir Stamford Raffles ca. 1824 (British Library)
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