| Magpie in Tiananmen Square I look around it doesn’t feel that long ago, 1989 eighteen years on and still the portrait eyes of Mao shine on the distance surrounded by the khaki of his republic grandsons above a lonely aviator the magpie commands the surly air Imperial-faced at 9am it swoops above amongst the cloth-kites secured with twine to the tinkering fingers of young girls giggling on those cold, grey slabs imbibed with tank oil and the blood of countless sons Like a pendulum over our heads the magpie arcs and glides He settles on the obelisk, solus a hero of the people the one for sorrow, bird of joy He is today’s unknown rebel, surrounded by wan marbles and dim concrete I feel the Guide tap my shoulder and he offers the smallest knowing smile, as much as he’s allowed to give “No bad omen in China” he assures me “Here the magpie is lucky” I look around it doesn’t feel that long ago, 1989 Then he lifts up the red flag a signal to us To keep moving on orderly in line. |
Ben Barton
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