Cynthia Li: Poetry Collection

Fieriest Killer of the Big Kisser

The lady with inky piebald frock always gazes at me fervently

when I lie on the grass

when I wear my shorts

especially when I sleep at night

On a balmy summer evening

she gave me a deep kiss

her lanky arms clamped my face tightly

sore permeated

my lips turned orange as the persimmon. 

but it’s time.

"Snap!"

blood trickled down my fingers

she screeched and collapsed. 

Footsteps descended

light splintering through the darkness

trembling, I scrubbed my hands

turning my head around

My father, a policeman, glared at me,

“Sweetie, didn't I tell you to buy a mosquito net?” 

Six Friends in One Person

—My Story with the TV show “Friends”

Quarrel about the “flimbee,” gobble a cheesecake on the floor, theme song, laughter, ending song, and episode two. They are ‘stuck in second gear’ like my interpersonal relationship. Asking “How ya doing?” with a zombie face; pivoting sofas with Hanukkah Armadillos, I dance naked every day. But when I sit in front of my TV, there is definitely no need to make Halloween candies at midnight. I know I will never be Monica and meet my Chandler—In reality people eat your sandwich without apologizing. When the rain starts to pour, I will be my own lobster.

The Abysswalker and the Dreamweaver

They put on kneepads and helmets

scanning around with a cautious glance

Pitches of a whistle blown from somewhere

Many climbers stumbled bit by bit

became trapped once they tripped into a pit

There were adventurers who gazed downward with a paraglider

unexpectedly crashed into the cliff, and fell

a few finally collapsed beneath the sun and died

Always the knucklehead with a lame leg

when boulders tumble down, 

I plunge into a cave.

Somehow I encounter a forest full of peaches

A pleasure first gain, I stay.

I’ve gave up Mathematics for Classics

I never regret my decision.

About the Author:

Cynthia Li is a 17-year-old writer living in Southeastern China. Her short stories have appeared in Academy of the Heart and Mind Magazine. She's drawn to grotesque kinds of writing, especially Gothic and Surrealistic aesthetics. Cynthia hopes to bring novel perspectives to the world.