A Summer Afternoon

China Road. The days before the summer holiday seemed abundant.

The Hefei clock with the click of a horse's hoof rang out delicate sounds.

It doesn't work now, for the person who wound it up lost interest in extending time.

Like now, I am painting a picture of brightness in the memory.

The gate of the primary school was closed tight.

The beautiful pulley and the vacant wing flowed along the river bank in the afternoon.

The sunlight shined through the gap between branches like water.

A few children, like scattered buttons, gathered under the shadowy trees,

yearning for a summer holiday without teachers or homework.

At that moment, standing across the street like potted plants,

I was dreaming of a green botanical garden.

Suddenly a little girl at the other side of the iron fence

waved to me, saying

"Uncle, can you help me buy an ice-cream?

Mengniu brand, the one with chocolate."

                              October 27,2008