Thank You (By Yan Li)

by Yan Li (translated by Denis Mair) The state has occupied all geographical surfaces I can only construct my inner world downward The government has taken the biggest banquet table The plate in my hands will have to serve as my table Social institutions occupy all the skeletal joints I must pound out a romantic mood with percussion of flesh Schools have occupied the vantage point of education All my theories can do is fight guerilla actions My wife has occupied the facial expression of family life All I can do is polish the mirror a little brighter My children have occupied the future All I can do is help them tie their shoes For this kind of arrangement All I can say is thank you