Forty-three, The Poignant Feelings in Poetry (3)
"The example you gave is not appropriate, one is a moral issue and the other is a legal issue. Of course, rape is another matter, that's against the law. We're talking about sexual harassment now. In this society, discussing morality is a laughable and pitiful thing. Morality has declined, and the social atmosphere has deteriorated. But have we ever thought about where the problem lies? Who should take responsibility? I think the biggest problem lies with the media. Whoever is responsible for supervising the media should be the one to take responsibility."
"Specifically?" asked Ouyang Xiaoxiao.
"In terms of media, it's mainly TV, books and magazines, and the internet. On TV, what kind of programs are most popular? Talent shows, dating shows, entertainment gossip, and violent movies and dramas - what impression do these leave on audiences? And as for books and magazines, what kinds of publications are currently popular in the market? How much nutritional value do they have? And online, low-taste websites and vulgar online games - after being exposed to these things for a long time, even someone with strong moral principles can't help but be drawn in."
"The masses are mediocre, you can't deprive them of their dreams. That's why talent shows, blind date programs and online games are popular," said Ouyang Xiaoxia.
"The masses are not only mediocre but also ignorant, you can trample on their dignity, and despise their cries. Without principles, without beliefs, and even more without morals, without conscience, unable to distinguish right from wrong, unable to discern truth from falsehood, such people, such a society, is truly pitiful and detestable."
"Yes, I'd like to add one more sentence: such people, in such a society, are not only pitiful and hateful, but also laughable and pathetic."
"If I were to record history, I think it should be written like this: the divine land of China, a thousand-year-old wonder, experts everywhere, scholars overflowing, morality collapsing, people's hearts dispersing, only one scene, entertainment without limits."
Ouyang Xiao laughed and said, "Mu Xian, this topic is too depressing. Let's change the subject. I just remembered that at Shunyuan Department Store, you almost fell down in the elevator going to the second floor. I asked you what you were thinking about back then, but you didn't say anything. How about we talk about that instead?"
I smiled, "Oh, I almost forgot about this, you still remember?"
Ouyang Xiao laughed and said, "I've been remembering this all along the way. Now it's your turn to say, what were you thinking about at that time?"
"This..." I paused for a moment, "I suddenly thought of a song at that time."
"What song?" Ouyang Xiao Xiao raised her head and looked at me.
"We're all good kids," I said
Ouyang Xiao didn't say anything more, she stared blankly at the moon on the horizon.
"Why aren't you talking?" I asked.
"That song has beautiful lyrics." Ouyang Xiao smiled reluctantly.
"Yes," I nodded, "we are all good kids, playing in the clouds."
"Children playing in the clouds?" Ouyang Xiao Xiao was taken aback, paused for a moment, and asked, "Why not children wandering in the clouds?"
"This," I thought for a moment, "is because we have love in our hearts. When we have love in our hearts, we know to be grateful, to give, to treat friends sincerely, and to get along with others in a friendly way. So, of course, we won't go astray."
"Oh," said Ouyang Xiaoxiao, nodding her head, and then fell silent again.
The atmosphere was a bit dull, so I smiled and said, "In college, I once wrote a poem that swept the whole school. How about I recite it to you now? But it might be a bit sad."
Ouyang Xiaoxiao nodded.
Whose eyes hide a thousand years of sorrow
Whose eyes flicker with indigo light?
I shouldered my pack
A person, wandering, drifting
A person, wandering, wandering,
Where is my hometown?
"Where is my past again?"
Ouyang Xiaoxiao didn't say anything.
"Hmm, I also wrote a similar poem, let me recite it for you too."
A tranquil autumn water
A lone green mountain peak
Night
Refreshing as this is
Who for whom
Stroking the zither and singing a long melody
Who for whom
Dancing and singing?
Who for whom
Pick up the messy floor
Who for whom
Dew drops on the branch, cold cicada.
Who is for whom?
"Who will stay behind to guard half of our rivers and mountains?"
After three or four seconds of silence, Ouyang Xiao raised her head, and I suddenly found that there were tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry, I -" I suddenly panicked.
"Su Mu Xian, it's a pity you're not a poet," Ouyang Xiao Xiao forced a smile.
I dryly laughed twice and didn't say anything else, and Ouyang Xiao also stopped talking.
The two of us just sat there quietly, watching the moon gradually brighten at the horizon.
