I am a dog
A Tibetan dog from Kyegu
A few days before the earth shook
And the mountains rumbled
sky darkened
storm thundered
dust rained.
In the night when all were asleep
I saw them on the march
Deities, gods, goddesses, angels and the spirits
They quietly left our town
Tails firmly tucked between their legs.
I am a dog
A Tibetan dog from Kyegu
In the night I howled
Peals of warnings
Up the streets
Down the streets
In Gesar Square
And that Chinese policeman
Chased me with his baton
’Bi Zui! Si Gou!’ [1] he shouted.
I wasn’t scared of his black baton
I was terrified of the earth
She was angry
They drill into her bowels
With iron hands and chemical dusts.
I am a dog
A Tibetan dog from Kyegu
The day before the earth shook
I howled the loudest
Up the streets
Down the streets
My throat went dry —
That Chinese policeman saw me again
‘Wo Be Le Ni!‘ [2] he shouted
And reached for his gun.
I didn’t want to die
So I fled up into the barren hills.
There were no foxes, rabbits, deer, marmots
Only vultures hovered on the cliffs.
I am a dog
A Tibetan dog from Kyegu
After the dust settled down
I came back home
To the streets
To Gesar Square
To rubbles and sobs.
Kyegu is full of red flags now
A Chinese soldier with an oxygen bag
Gave me a bowl of rice pudding
I sniffed at the repulsive sludge
And howled loud and clear.
‘I am a dog
A Tibetan dog from Kyegu
I love yak bones.’
I am a yak
A Tibetan yak
Who regrets not
To give you my bone
As you so loyal
Who kept me safe
From those greedy boots!
A Dog Is A Dog Is A Dog Is A Dog.
I am a god
Mocked in name
I fear no death
I am the rain
not the evil ye create
but thy sorrow and twisted fate
My mother shook
and purified her lands
they said it couldn’t be done
but I was reborn among the sands
and time; a hoax, charade, no not tonight
This dog, this slave, has got her sight
Beware ye of little faith
religion doth bring
the end of freedom
the end of the soul that sings.
Ta(i) Po-tst
The rose.
(The devil sees through all tricks)