Xu Zhiyong Poem by David McLansky

You make my home a narrow jail,
No iron bars nor toilet pail
You seal me in with a fear foam
My prison is my private home;

And then I’m charged
“With gathering crowds, ”
Do I command the sky, the clouds,
“To assemble them to create disorder, ”
Is Genghis Khan massing on the border?

I do not move with shadowed stealth,
To crack you’re safe of private wealth
Mail me your list Xi Jinxing
Who gave you that ruby Emperor’s ring?