another reason to love George Orwell

Ironic Poem About Prostitution
George Orwell

When I was young and had no sense
In far-off Mandalay
I lost my heart to a Burmese girl
As lovely as the day.

Her skin was gold, her hair was jet,
Her teeth were ivory;
I said, "for twenty silver pieces,
Maiden, sleep with me."

She looked at me, so pure, so sad,
The loveliest thing alive,
And in her lisping, virgin voice,
Stood out for twenty-five.

Posting this because Shahril and Zhen Hwang asked to.

The thing about George Orwell is, his words mean different things each time you read them. There are so many layers, so many angles, so many interpretations. But most importantly, this poem brings out bitter laughter, a damn hard emotion to evoke. You laugh, but inside, you're sad that a girl with such outward innocence can be bought (and not even in gold). I can only wish I can write like him. So much depth in so little words. Questioning the appearance of purity (or lack thereof), capturing a part of colonial Vietnam, giving true emotion to one of the most hated of industries (though the most eternally flourishing). And yet we laugh at this desecration of virginity.

Please, read it aloud, as I did. Lovely rhythm and rhyme.

I quote a girl who heard me: I love your poem! When I hear, feel like, seduced.

I suppose Mr. Orwell gets most of the credit...

She actually said 'seduced'! :D :D :D

sometimes

Maxwell Hill, September '09

I feel like I'm dropping higher into the sky.
Do I also sound like I'm on crack?

disaman

Edits: Smudged out ID and IC numbers, and the bit of my signature; switched to B&W mode and adjusted highlights and shadows for clarity. Everything else is evidence.

Sources verify that this is the first of three scrolls of ancient magic that I need to make cash disappear from my wallet.

sparkling

Low Yat is like a permanent PC Fair! Thank god I didn't bring much cash. Level upon level of temptation. I salivate to no end. Nice atmosphere too. A beautifully delicate balance of How Low Can Your RM Limbo? Everyone is here for a bargain, and all the shopkeepers know that. So they go "Best Price! Cheap!" and wink at you like they're only giving it to you. But you know that's not the best price cause she goes and does it to the hot guy with more gusto. Hence, formulated strategy: only buy from male / motherly people. Because I am female (with untuned gaydar) / can make self look hopelessly lost.

Just thought this was funny because you'd expect the competition to be cut-throat around here.

*walks up to Sandisk stall*

mp3 player?

*points to next-door Philips stall*

Yan, I don't know if you'll count this as bargaining, but I did talk to him about cycling in UTAR, Lookout Point, the mooncake festival, part-time jobs, the effect of resistance on sound quality, and jogging. Also, I effectively pointed in the general direction of his crotch and said

Can you take it off for me?

Uh..

The Spark.

Wha-?

mp3 player.

Oh. Heh. Okay.

Amy said I was flirting, but I think that borders on sexual harassment. Everything I say sounds wrong! Come on. You know you're thinking of all the wrong things "The Spark" can be...

Anyway.

Introducing!

>>>>The Spark!<<<<

This spells the end of social interaction for me.

mp3 mission

Going to Low Yat after class. Looking forward to returning a happier but much poorer person.

A personal mission to listen to Canon in D for an entire day has solidified my resolve to get myself an mp3 player. I want crystal clear piano notes, thank you. And I don't want to have to periodically readjust the headphone socket because the stupid connection decided to take a break.

Hence, Philips GoGear Spark. But will probably end up getting the Sansa Clip. You know how it is. You research like hell and you say "Yes! This is it! This is the one for me!" and then you go there and they don't sell that particular model you want. "Try this model lah! Same wan!". But not the model you want (and it's twice the price). Come to think of it right, same thing happens with boyfriends also.

But sometimes right, you just wander around and wonders happen. You suddenly find yourself face to face with the very item you have been looking for all this while but never knew you were looking for it. And you can actually afford it. Rare, but it happens. Of course, if I were to keep with the format of the paragraph above, yes, this happens with boyfriends also.

So, it's either you decide on one, or you fall in love. One is a flame, the other is an explosion.

Of course, there's always eBay.