The China Bank of Freedom in dialogue with the China Bank of Control
China Bank of Freedom
has issued a statement:
“For these uncertain times
we restate our thesis:
the value of Freedom
derives from its Control.
Freedom is the mirage
for those myopic minds
who escape the city
by rushing to the woods,
only to raze the woods
and rebuild the city.
Freedom is a resource
and thus needs management.
The city always builds:
its towers heightening,
its tunnels deepening.
Its sprawl is our business.”
China Bank of Control
has issued a response:
“We endorse our colleague.
Our theses are aligned:
the value of Control
is to define Freedom.
Control is the desire
of those chaotic minds
who escape the father
by climbing over walls,
only to hear his call
and crawl back to his knees.
Control is a resource
and thus needs investment.
The father always grows:
his knuckles tightening,
his shadow lengthening.
His will is our business.”
The China Bank of Desire in dialogue with the China Bank of Hatred
China Bank of Desire
has issued a statement:
“In the cycles of culture
many forces pulsate,
but desire beats deepest.
Thus, it is our focus.
At the heart of desire
is the sorrowful child
lost in the town market,
searching for the mother
whose face has disappeared.
The search lasts forever.
Children of the market
are vessels of desire
wanting liberation:
therein lies their value.
To best service our goals,
we must play the mother.”
China Bank of Hatred
has issued a response:
“We respect our colleague,
but they are mistaken.
Desire belies hatred
and hatred drives culture.
At the heart of hatred
is the terrified child
lost in the town market,
fearful of the monster
whose face is everywhere.
The fear lasts forever.
Children of the market
are vessels of hatred
wanting vindication:
therein lies their value.
To best service our goals,
we must loose the monster.”
— Liam Blackford is a lawyer, writer and poet based in Hong Kong. His first collection of poetry A Gateway Has Opened was published in 2021 by Proverse Hong Kong. He is working on a novel. You can find him on Instagram @ravemondfracas.