Zhonggou, middle kingdom
centre of the universe
an ancient people, cultured and yet!
Your daughters live within a world
where women do not count;
apart, from officially of course.

Death is rife; suicides are commonplace.
If you're a girl, life is touch and go
infanticide, forbidden, yet still practised.
Parents, fathers, not G-d
will choose if you live or die.
undignified your end, no grave no covering.

In a nation, ancient and civilised
gender counts for everything.
Moreso, now family size is ordered.
Not that the law condones of course
though little's done to stop it.
So people watch, they've seen it all before.
Who but mother's value a female child,
so she'll die of hunger or of cold.

Living though is just as hard
as utilities, slaves and servant-hood
is the destiny of women.
In Mao's book it says there're equal
but reality's somewhat different.
Condemned as less than human
a loveless life, no dignity no status
women, destined to serve or perish.

Men are mountains, women water
so the saying goes.
Female identities forged from what men are,
mountains reflected in clear water.
Still, hearts of woman are strong,
accepting that which is their lot.
yet what a cost, suppressing every feeling

The dream of make believe, of love
is a myth perpetuate.
In a land where cultural traditions, face
are paramount;
Zhonggou's people venerate the dead
whilst despising those who live.
A paradox unfathomed.


Women make up half the population,
they are strong, intelligent and able.
Yet still submit to shame and degradation,
as individualism's scorned.
A collective mind-set works against their cause.
Hearts grieve for you Zhonggou
your womenfolk you've destroyed.
As governments and party systems,
hardened, unfeeling and uncaring
have en-calloused women's hearts