Monday, March 6, 2017

Kit Kelen - for after them - considering Yao Feng's Jiang Qing



considering Yao Feng's Jiang Qing

that lady had so many names
she could have been the entire cast
she starred in several shows
even though she was usually trying for best supporting actress

she was to names what Imelda Marcos was to shoes
always the new woman!

born Lǐ Shūméng
but given the name Lǐ Jìnhái
at school she was Lǐ Yúnhè
that got shortened to Lǐ Hè
first on stage she was Lán Píng
not revolutionary enough?
Enter Jiāng Qīng
then for letters Lǐ Jìn
later on Lǐ Rùnqīng
mainly call her Madame Mao
(hardly a unique title)

she was on the make from the get-go
drama queen, home wrecker,
throne behind the power

all of it was theatre
she ended up collecting handkerchiefs
to knot together

this woman may have only been a quarter of a gang
but she definitely could have played
everyone in the court room

imagine all that cross-examination
you can't tell who's accused
who's accusing
so much judgement, evidence
everyone found wanting, condemned

the only thing you could be sure of
was that nobody gets a fair trial

2 comments:

  1. Nice rollicking commentary Kit.
    With little knowledge of Yao Feng this piece still appeals...the theatre of it all always gets me in.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice rollicking commentary Kit.
    With little knowledge of Yao Feng this piece still appeals...the theatre of it all always gets me in.

    ReplyDelete