Letter to Deng Yingchao[1]
(September 25, 1965)

Sister Deng:

Ever since you oppressed me into writing poetry[2], I had no choice but to obey. I spent two sleepless nights and wrote two ci poems[3]. I revised them several times but still haven't gotten them right. Now I send them to you for your advice. If there is anything inappropriate, please be so kind as to revise them thoroughly—that is my earnest hope!

Mao Zedong
September 25

[1] Deng Yingchao, then a member of the CPC Central Committee, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Vice-Chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation.
[2] In the summer of 1965, after Mao Zedong met with foreign guests, Deng Yingchao, who was among those accompanying him, asked Mao whether he had written any new poems, saying, "I haven't read any new works by the Chairman for a long time, and I very much hope to read some." Mao's humorous phrasing "you oppressed me into writing poetry" refers to this incident.
[3] Refers to the two ci poems written in 1965: "Shuidiao Getou: Reascending Jinggangshan" and "Niannu Jiao: Dialogue of Birds." These two poems were published with some revisions in the January 1976 issue of the journal Poetry.

Letter to Deng Yingchao
May 1965

Long have I cherished lofty aspirations,
Reascending Jinggangshan.
Coming a thousand li to revisit the old place,
It has already changed into a new scene.
Everywhere orioles sing, swallows dance,
Even more, gurgling streams,
High roads reach into the clouds.
Once past Huangyangjie,
No place is perilous to stop.

Wind and thunder stir,
Banners and flags rouse,
Such is the human world.
Thirty-eight years have passed,
A mere snap of the fingers.
We can ascend the ninth heaven to pluck the moon,
We can descend the five oceans to catch turtles,
Returning in triumph with laughter and song.
Nothing is difficult in the world,
If only one dares to climb.

Niannu Jiao
May 1965

The great roc spreads its wings,
Soaring ninety thousand li, stirring the whirlwind's horn.
Bearing the blue sky on its back, looking down,
It sees all the human cities and walls.
Cannon fire stretches across the sky,
Bullet-scarred earth,
Frightening the sparrow in the bush.
What can be done?
Alas, I want to leap and fly.

May I ask where you are going?
The sparrow replies:
There is a fairy mountain with fine pavilions.
Not to mention the bright moon of last year's autumn,
We have signed three treaties.
And there is food to eat:
Potatoes cooked with beef,
With more beef added.
No need to fart,
Just look at the one who fills the sky.