In this sequence, Yan’s subjects collapse, Dali-style, within the character-
istically (for Yan Li) constructed alternatives to our built environment.
Again, the satisfying quality of the lines, in this final case augmented by
the distinctly manufactured texture of the natural trunks themselves,
allows the painter to almost perfectly contradict the idea of escape
suggested in the title. The clouds, the moon, even the signature, all say
one thing and do another. In this respect Yan’s painting and his “poetry
gum” approach are highly consistent. Both provide the viewer with
conundrums on which to chew for a while and, perhaps, nothing more.Regular-Length Poems
With the foregoing discussion in mind, we can turn to Yan’s full-length
poems. Especially in recent years, Yan’s 2002 “Untitled” was con-
ceived in this vein:Coca Cola and I had our 我
合s
picture taken recently p 有 ¡¢£¤
But friends don’t see much p¥老¥§¥>物 ̈的©妄
compatibility «然®来有全球共²的卖
They say he’s old, dark, ́μs我¶· ̧的 ̈¹
and crazy materialistically º
光$¼½¾考虑Á偶的ÃÄ
Though we all know he Å我 mm地Æ全%Ç的ÈÉÊË
has sold well for a century Ì到我在各Ï条Ñ的衡¹LÓsÔ向
Friends say that for the sake Ì到我ÕÖR有青春的ÃÙÚ¹
of heredity Ì到我内ÇÜ剩· 片天ß地à的áâ
I should not rate a spouse Ì到我最äÆå悔çèéêë
economically Ì到如í块îï在
L的我
With body and soul I brew Õðñ除óô外的ö÷理
up affection repeatedly
Till I start measuring
advantages erratically
Till my youthful advantage
starts deserting me
Till the chill of a lonely
world settles inwardly
Till my repentant cries
echo piercingly
Till like an ice-cube, I float
in cola bobbingly
Now consuming is all, ideals
don’t appeal to me
(Translation by Denis Mair. Yan 2004: 139)^16Yan Li in the Global City 1579781403976079ts10.qxp:Layout 1 11/9/07 11:10 AM Page 157