I remember a plant with leaves
palm on outstretched palm
nine-fingered each
long I thought, without remembering its name
before I was decapitated
I shouted out
castor castor
I remember he said something
about wanting to burrow
from my vagina to my womb
so that I’d be pregnant with him
give birth to him
so that I’d love him
as with a child
unconditionally and always
I remember saying nothing
a buzzing noise came from my mouth
like seeds being chewed to bits
castor castor
Li Suo (1986) was born in Anhui, China. Suo holds a BA degree in Chinese literature from Xi’an International Studies University and MA degree from Beijing Normal University. She is currently the poetry editor at Xiron Press in Beijing.
Henry Zhang is a master’s student at Beijing Normal University. His criticism and translation have appeared in Los Angeles Review of Books, Music and Literature Magazine, Artforum, Drunken Boat, and Lunch Ticket. He is the recipient of the 2017 Henry Luce Fellowship, and his translations have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.