Five Careers in the Middle Kingdom.(Poem) From: Poetry | Date: April 1, 2003| Author: Curzon, David | COPYRIGHT 2003 Modern Poetry Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

 
FIVE CAREERS IN THE MIDDLE KINGDOM 
 
Circa 2000 BCE 
 
   I 
 
   I aspire of course to be Overlord of Every Pre-eminent 
   Office 
   but would, if offered, consider Overseer of All Heaven 
   Gives 
   and Earth Creates and the Inundation Brings, but I 
   will not be fobbed off with Maintainer of the Moon 
   or some other such trivial juridical position. 
   Overseer of All Tribute? It's a distinct possibility." 
 
   II 
 
   "I insinuated into the palace as 
   Great Chamberlain...