The Square

(Ⅰ)
A year spent carrying tiles and bricks,
Seeking hard-earned pay as the New Year ticks.
The boss in power drifts like a cloud, unseen,
While accountants sit behind desks, serene.
The meager wage barely covers the journey home,
The rest paid in liquor and cigarettes—poorly made, some.
Shoddy goods passed as premium, a deceptive scheme,
Their value far from market price, a distant dream.

(Ⅱ)
From bitter waters by Southern Hills I hail,
Leaving my poor village at spring’s trail.
Wife, children, elders wait at the village end,
Hoping I return with means to sustain and mend.
Now empty-handed, I stand on the street in despair,
Homesick tears fall as I question heaven—unfair!
Who will rise and sever this oppressive might?
Cut out the black hearts and roast them in light!

​

About the Author: Wu Maojiang is a member of the Chinese Poetry Association, Ningxia Poetry Association, and Yinchuan Poetry Association. His poems have been featured in publications such as Poetry Newspaper, Ningxia Daily, Huaxing Times, Chinese Fu Poetry, Poetry Monthly, Shuofang, Yellow River Literature, and Dongpo Red Cliff Poetry.

《现代诗：农民工领工钱》

（一）

抱瓦扛砖整一年，新春放假讨工钱。

握权老板游云外，财务科员坐桌前。

所领微薪够路费，其余配发酒和烟。

顶账劣品充高档，价比商场差距悬。

（二）

远住南山苦水边，开春出寨别穷川。

妻儿老小村头等，待我回家买吃穿。

两手抓风街上站，思乡落泪问苍天。

谁能举刀斩恶势，割取黑心把骨煎！

作者简介：吴茂江，中华诗词学会、宁夏诗词学会、银川市诗词学会会员。诗作散见于《诗词报》《宁夏日报》《华兴时报》《中华辞赋》《诗词月刊》《朔方》《黄河文学》《东坡赤壁诗词》等报刊。