Ides of April Poetry

 

Chinese Politics in My Notebook

Mike knew all the words
to John Denver’s “West Virginia,”
and after gentle
but continued verbal prodding
from the more fun-loving
members of the group,
shared his rendition --
as long as we sang along –
(his only condition).

Pungent fish markets

and cyclists
flashed by our windows.
The stark contrast of country roads
taking us home
and congested highways taking us
to the Great Wall.

He was really Zhao Ying.

His hated American name
chosen to make him
more palatable to us tourists.
His father was an architect
before Mao came to power,
imposing
imprisoning
the country’s intellects.
His talents wasted,
his politics hardened
in a cement factory.

This son’s future

soon cut in stone --
no money for education.
A brain wasted as a tour guide.
His story jotted in my notebook
along with his comments
on a government long gone
but still resonating:
“Those who had nothing
Thought he was great.”
                     - by Roberta Worthington