Zhu Yufu, Appeal Denied

by Richard Hartwell 

 

Weak Moorings in this laogai, Zhejiang Prison #4

producing light machinery rather than heavy poetry;

buoyant ideas, resolute, regardless of weighted words.

 

Week Moorings with only work to which to cling,

no family, slaves to Hangzhou Wulin Machinery,

state made, prison labor, labored thoughts, memory.

 

Weak Mornings made to rise, forced-work again,

captured bodies, trained muscles, stifled intellect,

crucified for daily pennies with only time to compose

 

Week Mornings numbering over twenty-five-hundred

enough time to think again, write again, try again;

when released, to rise again, cry again, incite again.