Four Stanzas of New Shijing on the Moon Palace

Eric Wang

Yesterday I went to the Moon Palace Cinema to see a movie. It was exactly 4:30. As soon as I entered, the seats had long since been filled. Luckily I found an usher, who pointed me to a seat. At that time the movie hadn’t yet started. As soon as I turned my head (I wasn’t looking to flirt, it’s just boring to sit by oneself) I saw: quiet people in pairs, unmarried young folk, married couples, whispering in each others’ ears, whispering sweet nothings that could not be overheard. Being in the midst of this was enough to make someone quite jealous. Even if I had exceptionally good hearing and vision, I’m afraid no newspapers would print this news. I returned home and with nothing to do, happened to write the below “New Shijing” poem in four stanzas, in order to win the smiles of the group at the Moon Palace Cinema. 

[Couples] speaking in soft low tones 
Whispering in each others’ ears 
Who is speaking? 
One man, one woman 
 
[Couples] speaking in soft low tones 
First speaking, then falling silent 
Tapping fingers to the melody 
Afraid the walls have ears 
 
Whispering 
How could there be so much? 
There is so much 
The passion is thick 
 
Whispers 
The passion is thick 
I love er er 
I love er er