Qiao He

I spun the plastic top in my hand. At first, it spun rapidly, creating a blur of motion, but after hitting the walls a few times, it gradually slowed down until it stopped completely. Right before it halted, it wobbled clumsily a couple of times—how pitiful. I kept trying to make it spin again, but no matter what I did, the top would spin fast only to eventually hit a wall and come to a stop, just like… some inevitable law in this devouring world, where things are quickly swallowed up. Save the children… 2008, Ji.