Officials’ rise and fall

By Poem by Long Yuan; Cartoon by Gou Ben / 08-04-2015 / (Chinese Social Sciences Today)

The official’s cap of a Party member
Tends to only grow in height.
But should it become too top-heavy,
It can no longer stay upright.
Despite dereliction of duty or arbitrary acts,
In the past, their position would stay intact.
Made subject to close inspection,
Leaders now move freely in both directions.
Whether they serve themselves,
Or the good of all,
Their actions dictate their rise and fall.