by Xiaoly Li
Trees can know human intentions. Are we not
as sensitive as trees? But we are afraid.
How to love, if we see through each other
like a laser? How to trust, when we cannot
hide behind our words? All darkness laid bare to
sun. And language, the quiet, no difference.
Who wants truth? Who can handle truth?
Just like “Ye Gong Hao Long”— the story about
“the lord who loved Dragons,” he had dragons
painted on the walls, carved on the pillars and jars.
The real dragon came and he ran away.
When dinosaurs we love are reborn from
their own DNA and walk toward us
with huge and heavy steps, will we all run?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Xiaoly Li is a poet, photographer and computer engineer who lives in Massachusetts. Her poetry has recently appeared in Spoon River Poetry Review, American Journal of Poetry, PANK, Atlanta Review, Chautauqua, Rhino, Cold Mountain Review, J Journal and elsewhere, and has also been anthologized. She has been nominated for Best of the Net twice, Best New Poets, and a Pushcart Prize. Xiaoly received her Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Masters in Computer Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University in China.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Xinyi Cao is currently an MFA student at the Savannah College of Art and Design studying Illustration. Post-graduation she hopes to do artwork for video games and eventually become a teacher, passing on her knowledge to others.