Poetry

A Concise History of China in English

 

 

 

 

 

1. Ancient China
 
 
 
They used to drink tea
 
Wear silk
 
Eat from china
 
Think in terms of Zen
 
And practise Confucianism 
 
 
 
Only – is it true?
 
 
 
2. Semi-Colonial China
 
 
 
Wearing cheongsam
 
These poor coolies arrived here
 
On sampans 
 
Always ready to kowtow
 
To a tycoon
 
Who lived in Shangri-La 
 
Eating dim sum
 
Drinking oolong 
 
Playing mahjong 
 
Gambling in a casino every day
 
Though reluctant to give cumshaw
 
 
 
3. Mandarin China
 
 
 
Led by dao
 
A yin
 
Running dog
 
Wearing qipao
 
Is fighting against a yang 
 
Paper tiger
 
With wushu 
 
After getting brainwashed
 
Through maotai
 
Like a taikongnaut
 
At a fengshui spot
 
Dominated by qi 
 

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