by Chi Le Chuan
     trs. by Wang Ping

It just rained, and puddle
Gathered like a gorge, a few kids
Marched into the water, kicking
Stomping on their childhood without suspicion . . .

One child picked up a water bottle, and
put it in the snakeskin bag of the vagabond
Across the street.  He was
Followed by the other kids . . .

The puddle became quiet for a few minutes
Shining, as if
This small body of water has gathered
All the light of this world

by An Wanmei
     trs. by Sophia Kidd

today my luck’s
real good
or maybe not so good
i often walk
this very road
and see
twelve dear random
people who kiss me
i am shy
and don’t look up

by An Wanmei
     trs. by Sophia Kidd

at first
i’m in the woods
looking for
a mushroom diamond alien
i look for so long
and only find a person just like me
we’re like oh yeah oh yeah   inviting each other
to the top of the tree to sit
and cross our legs   oh yeah oh yeah
listen to the sound of the roaring wind

by Yu Yoyo
     trs. by Sophia Kidd

objects outside the window are swollen
shadows form by natural light
just like a prop
holds up a theatre with no roof

we sit on the balcony and wait
for new actors to appear
just waiting for a car
circling the turntable
two leaves hijack
a piece of wind gone by
sheets dry on the rooftop
giving back the afternoon sun
but only in summer
when the angle’s right
i guessed wrong
about the light
this season

people in the room squint
between glass and air
watching an unknown actor
in a play for unknown reasons
and quickly they blend
into the plot