Li Peng Step Down!

This week’s weird poem is weird in an unexpectedly weird way. Upon first glance, it is an anodyne poem published in the overseas edition of the People’s Daily, the official rag of the CCP. Until you see the political message hidden in the poem that caused a small controversy in the 1990’s.

This was supposed to be the last of our weird poem series, but we decided to move the order around when we realized that the release date of this podcast would be June 4th.

Here is the original, as it was printed in the People’s Daily:

Here is the poem, with the hidden message highlighted:

Here is Lee’s Translation:

Lantern Festival

The East Wind flicks the Face, destroying the Peaches and Plums

The sparrow hawk easily takes flight, its brilliant prespect spreading out before them

The bright moon shins on the ocean, a hot tear falls. 

The wandering man climbs the tower, contemplating the desolate city. 

I take a rest from this burden I have carried my whole life, a dedication to my country. 

The people teach me, and succeed in making money. 

Directly following it, anger rises, shaking all China

For now, China waits for spring in all the land.