Wasn't That A Time

Not being at home for a while, the image, the smell and the atmosphere of home gradually blurred. Therefore, every time I went back after the end of a semester, counting the countless mountains and trees flashing by the train windows, I wished it to be a journey to discover some new surprises and rekindle the old memories.

We’ve overcome the distance. Here we are back in our town, a town lying in the arms of mountains and trees, a town awaiting the arrival of the Spring Festival when all familiar faces reappear. The moist air and slight coldness slow down my pace of life. It is a place where insomnia slips away and inspirations gather.

On one of those peaceful nights, grandma was recalling the Spring Festival in the past. “There were open-air films and everyone was talking and laughing...” I whispered, “Do you miss it?” “We have television now,” she chuckled under the sheets. Well, maybe grandma isn’t the type of nostalgic person like I am.

Oil lamp lighting up the kitchen

Things remain unchanged for me; so does the Spring Festival. The adult world is still bustling with the exchange of gifts. Sometimes as funny as it may seem, the oranges or wines that set out from my family, along with our New Year greetings, returned home safe and sound after a two-week circular tour. Kids are still hanging around, exploding firecrackers. Auspicious words jump out from the mouths of these excited groups of elves to attract the red packets in return.

But what is it for me exactly? I am stuck in the middle, not young or old enough. Is it such an awkward age that only allows me to be a bystander? As I was wondering, the blossom of fireworks over the river caught my eyes. Then the lines of The passenger by Iggy Pop hovered in my head, “I am the passenger and I ride and I ride / I ride through the city's backsides / I see the stars come out of the sky / Yeah the bright and hollow sky / You know it looks so good tonight...” It seems there’s nothing but the fleeting light in the sky. May it be another dizzy night when we have nothing to do but drink in the glittering view.

Drink in the glittering view

Waking up on a brand new day of the lunar New Year, I heard the beating of gongs and drums growing louder and stronger. The dragon dance troupe was climbing upstairs. Within seconds, the dragon mask was wildly shaken everywhere in the kitchen and the living room. I held my breath until the restless body of the dragon swung away. Perhaps my obsession with mysterious power is indebted in some way to the dragon dance, as I am willing to watch it a thousand times over.

Dragon dance to drive away the evil spirit

Late at night, my family went to the Great Temple as a yearly must. Although it was 2 am, the constant stream of Buddhists kept flowing into the temple. The whole place was alive with incense burning all night long, which reminded me of a spectacular scene in the animated film spirited away: thousands of spirits are meandering through their luxurious retreat where a myriad of lights are twinkling.

Incense burning all night long

Following the sweet wind to cross the green wall of sugarcane, I went back to the countryside where half of my childhood was spent. The tradition of setting off firecrackers in each courtyard to bring good luck is still well preserved. The moment when the clock of New Year rang, the darkness and stillness of night was immediately broken by the glaring lights and bursting sound all around. A great battle is going on, I would always imagine, with everyone opening fire. When it quieted down, the flakes of the firecrackers spread in front of each door, resembling a red carpet or, the blood of the enemies. Then mama would stop me: “ No unlucky words!”

The red flakes of the firecrackers spread in the courtyard

I should have been full of joy when pasting spring couplets for our old house. But there’s a sense of loss as I pictured a little girl standing at the narrow alley, too short to enable her eyesight to reach the top of the buildings on both sides. She ran along the alley again and again, feeling like in paradise. Wasn’t that a time, I thought to myself.

Never forget to decorate the abandoned house with new couplets

The buildings on both sides no more stare down at me now. It seems I’ve overcome the distance, but have failed to defeat the time. Things remained unchanged for me, but I’ve changed. Although I feel like a stranger to break in the great old time, I am grateful that I can still feel the heartbeat of this time-honored festival.