Hongwei Bao

There’s no plum tree on Plumptre Street,just as there’s no lace in Lace Market. One day I lock myself out of my rentedflat, the whole building in fact, the red-brick architecture converted from a Victorianwarehouse. Its big windows, arched and single-glazed, a tourist attraction in the daytime,a shudder to think about at night, like tonight. I pace along the empty street. … [Read more...] about Plumptre Street, By: Hongwei Bao

We meet in a Chinese teahouse on a hot summer’s day.The fragrance of the Longjing tea lingers in the air.Twenty years after graduation we’ve both changed a lot,wrinkles on the face, salt and pepper hair on the head.But the passion and dream from our youths can still be heard.I congratulate her on her marriage and second child.She asks me how my life is. It’s fine, I reply, not … [Read more...] about Tea With My Best School Friend, By: Hongwei Bao

I want to be a different kindof James Bond. Dressedin a tuxedo, ice in whiskey, cruising men glamorously.Take off my shirt, openmy biceps and six pack to a host of men.Go to bed with enemies.Pounding guts. World politics a trail of broken hearts.James Bond, when can yoube as queer as me? … [Read more...] about As Queer As James Bond, By: Hongwei Bao

After we've been to bed together for the first time,you step out from the shower, face glowing and hairglistening, water droplets rolling down your shoulders,a small towel barely sufficient to cover your modesty though nothing I’ve never seen before. I invite youto rejoin me in bed, passing you a beer, icy coldfrom the fridge. We sit together, against … [Read more...] about After The Shower, By: Hongwei Bao

You jump into my bed,Your sandpaper face rubbing my neck,Your warm breath moistening my hair,Your rhythmic snores ringing in my eardrums.Now I’m wide awake,eyes fixed on that small, oval-shaped devicebeside the table lamp, anticipatingthe alarm to go off at any minute.I will then whisper to the flicking blue light:Alexa, stop!It will stop, for it wakes up much … [Read more...] about Waking Up With Alexa, By: Hongwei Bao