It looks beautiful when our naïve eyes gaze upon it – a behemoth of land-mass, a mixing pot of vibrant terrain and exquisite geography, a masterful experiment of an omnipotent artist who washes gentle shades of orange across it each morning with the soft brush of the glowing Eastern sun-rise. It is inanimate after all, a chunk of rock and soil that has lapped the peaceful Asian seas ever since they first flooded our beloved planet. Alas, of course such things are never the case. The stinging taint of Humanity is as bright as the rising sun when we blow away our blundering smoky perceptions and stare at this pretty picture in the face. We breathed life into the core of its earth long ago; it awoke from its dead sleep and became a living creature as the Chinese people bound themselves to it, welded together by a mutual bond of survival. It grew as the people grew, it fed as the people fed and it fought as the people fought. It graced the fields of global hearts and minds for centuries, a gentle and astonishing creature that bathed in the fascination of the rest of the world. Or perhaps, the longing.1
Our reach grew as our minds did. The ethereal idea of intelligence was solidified in the manifestation of technology, and soon the world could touch the beauty of the Chinese creature as if it was clay, each caress leaving smudges and blotches. We fed it, and as we did its heart blackened along with the forming layers of smog that wheezed from its lungs. Modernised, globalised, mechanised – the creature became metal and cogs that turned ever faster as cash filled its veins. A belly of greed swelled and expanded and we flocked to it as if it were our creation, proud of its appetite. We hacked away skin and bone of our own creatures, generously stuffing the oriental gullet with glee. We depended on it like our drug, and this realisation gradually came to it like a bear cub finally learning to stand on all four feet. Its eyes narrowed and its stomach grumbled for more.2
Our grip on the leash faltered, the wild Chinese creature was now oiled and slick with limbs that itched with desperation for expansion. It was a force and a power. Resources trickled from our banks and our farms like water through our shrivelling fingers. Our control evaporated and the creature grew into a steel beast – a steam engine that absorbed the world’s fuel and spewed out its waste into the darkening skies, billowing gas clouds that spread across the lands with bitter oppression and primal yearnings for ever more power. Its great ears grew deaf to the world, satisfied with the twisted musings of its own whispers. With disgust, the rest of the world are watching in horror as the beast crawls along its feeding path, quashing the muted cries of those that are left in tatters from its wake. Outcry, rage and demands scream from global throats, but it is we who gave this beast life and it is we who continue to feed it. Still it grows, its figure looming over us with raspy growls and bearing teeth.3
The blame is indiscriminate; it blankets every nation like snow fall. The beast is getting stronger with each breath, and while its furrowed brow seldom snaps away from its own continent now, soon it shall sweep the rest of the world in its greedy stare.4
Author notes
This may come across as offensive but in reality it is just an abstract observation from an outside perspective. I do not mention Tibet's plight for a reason; that is because although I am deeply wrapped up in the poor peoples' problems and I wish for their freedom with every every fibre of my being, it is nothing compared to what I (and many economists) predict for the future. Somebody needs to admit that what happened in Taiwan and what is happening now in Tibet is going to continue and spread. I like China and the Chinese people, but I do not like their position on the global stage at this time. The nation is polluting and using up an absolutely sickening amount of the earth's natural resources at an alarming rate - and the worst thing is that their government does not seem to care.
Show us you care, free Tibet.
A contest entry
- Convince me. by Xtclozer-.
325 points, ended April 13, 2008, 8 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Very good. It was a masterpiece and a brilliant write, I love the way you described everything. I could picture ita ll in my head so easaily.
Thanks for entering my contest, and good luck.
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Good descriptions
I can't think of a better description of China. It is a beast and it is growing by consuming the people, products and territories all around it. A beast we have fed many times over. I pray for a saving grace for the Tibetan people too. They are destroying not just the people, but the entire culture.
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I loved your analogy of the destruction - not just physically - of such a beautiful country, personified as this raging beast. It's true, though, that mankind has a knack for creating systems that they cannot control. Greed feeds this 'beast' - and not just those that benefit primarily, but those that obtain benefit in a secondary or tertiary sense.
Your imagery and descriptive language were fantastic, you have a brilliant grasp of how to wield the english language. This has been created and shaped into a palatable and perceptive piece, which strikes different chords with different readers.
Well done!
beginning: 4, language: 5, plot: 3, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 3.
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Very Good
I can't tell you how much I love the imagery and the metaphors. I really don't know much about the Tibet situation, as I haven't been following it, but I definetly get the message that trouble is coming, we (humanity) caused it, and we're not going to stop it if it's bad for business. It's really well-written, in a kind of poetic way. -
This was totally incredible. If this doesn't get gold....well...then. I love this piece a lot. You really have a special gift I think
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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"The stinging taint of Humanity is as bright as the rising sun when we blow away our blundering smoky perceptions and stare at this pretty picture in the face." That was a great line.
Interesting to read, I've been trying to follow what's been happening in Tibet since before Bjork "hurt China's feelings". I noticed lately that a lot of artists and writers are reflecting the events in their work. One artist used oreo's to form an image of a monk burning himself in protest.
It's a little scary, everything that's going on now.
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Thank you! I like that artists are presenting real world issues in their work, it definately makes a change from the usual 'describe your feelings' type of work. And yes, it is a little bit scary...
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I was just reading an article about Tibet and China and Dalai Lama today. The title hooked me in, great imagery, great vocabulary, good meaning...it was a really really good write!! (=
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might be slightly more convincing if you offered an alternative.
yes, fossil fuels are bad, but the alternative is sit in the dark and freeze.
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On the contrary, this is not a piece about fuel consumption at all, that was just an after-thought to be included in the author's notes - this is MY abstract perspective about the PLIGHT OF CHINA and therefore no alternative is required to illustrate my views. Thank you for reading.
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w00t!
You did it!
And it became a masterpiece.
This was chillingly beautiful. Not the content, but the way it was written. I loved the metaphors throughout. You tackle an issue well ignored and form it into a fear inspiring eye opener. Nobody i know could have done this, glad you chose to.
Excellently written, and the imagery superb!
Free Tibet!
Yrs.
Azaradelle.
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This is insightful and heartfelt. You give a passionate view without coming off preachy. Good use of descriptions, while keeping a clear view of the actual reason for the spill.
Great work.
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Love this! This really means something! I understand your views and agree with them.
Awesome job!
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