small men

Graphic poem printed on brushed metal - ready to hang, written while on residency in Shangyuan Art Museum near Beijing

Small men

I’m just visiting,
Won’t be here long.

They want to demolish,
reasons unknown.
But my life at home leads me believe
the reasons will be petty.

An eviction and bulldozers would lead to protests and placards.
People don’t lie down easy where I live.
(A fact I’m strangely proud, thought I’m not sure it’s my right)

I’m wondering what will happen here?
There’s nothing certain, but I see the

small men doing small things
running the motions
talking big
running in circles
winning tiny victories on borrowed power

我只做客
不呆很久
他们说柴，
理由不明。

不过从家里经验就相信
会有小人的原因。

在我的国家，强迫拆迁会有抗议行动。人家不会很快就妥协。（也许让我骄傲，虽然不知我有没有这个权利）
这里会发生什么？
不能确定，只看见

小人做小事
进行跑步
讲大话
跑圈子

以借来权利
打小胜利

赛斯诗，维马丁译

(Translation by Martin Winter)

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