Mao in My Office
Chairman Mao
stayed for two years
courtesy of Charlie
Large canvas above the desk
looms over, stifles the space
Stops people at the door
Red for the Red Army
red for blood
Red Autumn Harvest Uprising
red violent class struggles
Why is that painting there?
Human rights abuses
How can it hang on that wall?
Executions
Founding Father, the People’s Republic
The painting depicts
the Dictator
The color of spilled blood
Revolutionary
Contemporary Art
Needs a home
“Politics is war without bloodshed
while war is politics with bloodshed.”
Politics changes
4 thoughts on "Mao in My Office"
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your alliteration works nicely!
Glad you think so!
This poem raising some interesting questions about the art that captures our attention and that we display.
So true. Geri, the inspiration for this was a large painting by a student who had no place for it and asked if he could place in my office. Excellent portrait that got a lot of comments while resting on the wall above my desk. Still a brilliant image in my mind that made me write it recalling the “Charlie” of the Viet Cong.