Resurfacing: A Conversation Nearing Christmas

by Ori C. Li


// the rain dances throughout the day  

Shhh be quiet or else the lights will run away // 

Your car smells like you 

I like it a lot 

// hold tight because its kalaniana’ole // haha we gonna turn and turn and turn // 

// I like taking people here because the drive is really nice // whoa look at that guy at seventy did  you see that // yes yes I did 

// see if _____ really is building a damned house // 

I remember when I thought 

I was crazy 我得了神经病,相思病,无可治的病 

you said: 

// you’re not crazy // 

// you’re not crazy // 

// you’re not crazy // 

// The truth will be revealed, some day // technologies that were once impossible would be  

revealed // 

// no one would have to die of cancer // 

// she wouldn’t have to die of cancer // 

 yes… she wouldn’t have to die of cancer 

Yes, _____ is really building a damned house. 

//—GODDAMN// 

 // hold tight I said the light is going // 

// it’s quite disgusting, all this 

**Stuff stuff stuff stuff stuff stuff** // 

capitalism, did you know that? 

// HA! //

// but ey I told them we aren’t going to burn these bridges so soon, you know // // because we only have so far to run from each other // 

and we see each other all the time // 

// this isn’t permanent. // 

I admire your sense of righteousness. 

但我想问你每天怎么有心情起床啊 

// you ride the horse forward // 

嗯,一直往前走,对吗? 

// exactly see you’ll be fine// 

Man, I really do like those small moments 

Where we say {nothing} 

At least in the silence we can hold everything 

We do not have  {把它放下}

 

{the eroding mountains, treasure-less} 

{olivine mess vanishing into the water} 

{lacey foam across the lava rocks} 

{for love and not for sport, for love} 

{the usual smoothie, condensation drip} 

{old omamori, new wishes now} 

{haves and have-nots} 

{lights flicker} 

And then we can feel like ourselves again.


Ori C. Li is an undergraduate in MA with interests in writing, drawing, and aimlessly wandering around town. She has been featured on It’s Lit With PhDj.

Illustration by Matthew Lambert