The poet Tao Yuan-ming, who lived from A.D. 376 to 427, used the lotus flower as a symbol of honor and purity in his poetry, illustrating how the lotus flourishes in muddy waters yet remains unblemished. This metaphor conveys a noble ideal of rising above one's circumstances, but it also highlights a certain romanticism about human resilience and virtue. As I reflected on this ideal, I couldn't help but contrast it with the harsh reality around me.

Listening to the Red Guards above, I sensed their fervent belief that their actions were righteous and in service of their leader, Mao Zedong. Their laughter echoed through the air, revealing a stark disconnection from the values that Tao Yuan-ming cherished. It felt ironic to consider the poet's vision of an honorable man against the backdrop of the destruction and zeal from those who believed they were fulfilling a higher purpose. In that moment, the ideal of the lotus felt painfully distant.