"The Wrinkled Miss Fongci"
(by - Jiao Tong, translated by - Shuwei Ho ‧ Raphael John Schulte)
Without applying, without passing an exam,
Just toting her foster-father's recommendation,
Miss Fongci got her position in this institute.
Since then she clutches tenure like a purse, feasting
On a paycheck, enduring longer than her
Youth. Her job must start
With a paper－a foreign newspaper－
And a magazine slick as Vogue. If there's time,
She discusses soap operas over oolong tea.
"My private concerns concern me first," is her principle.
After tea, most afternoons, she must go
Shopping and rush back to phone or fax distant friends.
Since big wigs rarely visit, Miss Fongci
Leisurely minds her own business.
Cases due last month, of course, must be begun
Anytime this one.
As time passes, every day is spent
This way. Miss Fongci smiles and grins
When her boss lectures or complains: "Yes,
Sir, yes, just as you wish," she fully lips.
As time passes and passes, every day is spent this way.
Some people are laid off, more pound the streets
Hunting for jobs in this city with withered morals.
Miss Fongci's nerves, therefore, wrap into her wrinkles.
Now she's careful－so discreet. Besides taking
Care of her health, she works
At keeping her job. The Interior Ministry, for instance,
Is giving an advancement test she's determined to pass.
The Miss Fongci who never read a thing since school
Works hard at keeping her job.
A modern Chinese history is always on her desk, now.
〈奉此小姐〉 ◎焦桐
不曾应征，也没有经过甄试，
奉此小姐怀着干爹的八行书，走后门
进入这家机关来做事，
从此捧了心爱的铁饭碗，
职位比年华更稳固。
办公桌永远有一份报纸，看不完
一份永远的杂志，闲来
大家讨论昨晚的连续剧，
办完私事再抽空办公事。
喝完下午茶去逛逛百货公司，
回办公室打电话问候远方的亲友，
平常难得有长官来察视，
一点点工作也不忙着实施，
上个月的进度不妨下个月再开始。
春去秋来，一年如一日，
奉此小姐每天打扮恭顺的笑容，
如果上司有什么吩咐或微词，
一律这样点头说是是。
春去秋来，十年如一日。
很多人被资遣，更多人在街头谋职，
在这座道德萧条的大都市，
粉饰的笑容折叠了忧虑的鱼尾纹──
她更加小心谨慎，除了养身摄食，
也努力要稳固永远的编制；例如最近
内部将举行升级考试，
很久没想到读书的奉此小姐，上班
桌上多摆了一本中国近代史。