Firecrackers Cry Out To Get Rich

by Yan Li Hundreds and thousands of firecrackers, crying out to get rich until their voices sound raspy like people What else can they do? Such is the concreteness of life it needs liveliness it needs a competitive edge it needs explosive force Once lit up by desire there is no more staying quiet Once lit up by desire you split your seams with all the fiery ch'i in your body Firecrackers of different prices are different in nature roman candles and bottle rockets staccato strings and cherry bombs Once lit up by desire you squeeze out whatever you have in you and cover the ground with the litter of prosperity (tr. by Denis Mair)