Gu Cheng The 2River View, 8.1 (Fall 2003)
The Start of This Chaos

a car is driving through misty trees
something must be happening
to draw the kids out of the street
and soldiers among them, carrying signs
I hit the dirt and see flowers
houses emitting strange smoke
and twins
the flowers attack us
ravaging us with their odors, they are an era
of still and moving pictures
painted red, green
                    such beautiful children
                    so beautiful, look
          the shutter grips people in its teeth
          shakes its head
          how could you forget

translated by Aaron Crippen

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