For China's Halloween Discontent

The poem "For China's Halloween Discontent" by Brian Henry is a response to the Chinese government's decision to ban Halloween celebrations in 2017. The poem explores the idea of cultural exchange and how it can be both positive and negative.

The title "For China's Halloween Discontent" is a playful way of addressing the Chinese government's disapproval of Halloween. It suggests that the poem is written in solidarity with those who may be disappointed by the ban, and it also highlights the irony of a government trying to suppress a holiday that is not traditionally celebrated in China.

The poem itself is structured around a series of contrasts and juxtapositions. For example, it begins with the lines:

"For China's Halloween Discontent

let us celebrate instead

the day the moon ate sun"

This opening sets up a contrast between Halloween and a made-up holiday, which serves to highlight the arbitrary nature of cultural traditions. It also introduces the idea of the moon eating the sun, which is a surreal and unexpected image that challenges our expectations of what a holiday should be.

Throughout the poem, Henry uses vivid and often unsettling imagery to explore the themes of cultural exchange and assimilation. For example, he writes:

"let us eat each other's food

until we become one big meal"

This line suggests both the potential benefits and dangers of cultural exchange. On one hand, it highlights the way that different cultures can enrich each other through sharing food and traditions. On the other hand, it also suggests a kind of homogenization or assimilation, where cultures begin to blur together until they become indistinguishable.

Another example of this contrast can be seen in the lines:

"let us learn each other's languages

until we forget our own"

This line again highlights both the benefits and dangers of cultural exchange. On one hand, it suggests that learning new languages can help us to better understand and connect with other cultures. On the other hand, it also suggests a kind of loss or erasure of our own cultural heritage.

Overall, "for china's halloween discontent" is a thought-provoking and challenging poem that explores complex themes in a creative and engaging way. It encourages us to think critically about cultural exchange and assimilation, and it invites us to consider the ways in which our own cultural traditions are both unique and interconnected with those of others.