Published in Overland Issue 201 Summer 2010 Main Posts / Writing Tank Man Eileen Chong 5 June 1989, Gate of Heavenly Peace He’d just been shopping. Nestled inside the bags were jars, tins, vegetables, maybe even a whole chicken. The road stretched empty except for the tanks. His friends would be at his door soon. He needed an hour for the bird to simmer into tenderness. Ten minutes to peel and dice the carrots, onions and ginger. Half an hour to boil the rice. But the tanks slowly advanced on swiss roll wheels. His bags were heavy. Their white handles cut. His hands grew red and riven. But he stood there, a sculpture, grown into the land. The first tank came so close its hulk blocked out the sun even as the man lifted his chin and searched out the tank’s eye. Eileen Chong Eileen Chong is an Australian poet. She is the author of eight books. Her next collection of poetry, A Thousand Crimson Blooms is forthcoming from UQP in April 2021. She lives and works on unceded Gadigal land of the Eora Nation. www.eileenchong.com.au More by Eileen Chong Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays First published in Overland Issue 228 11 November 202211 November 2022 Main Posts On the last day of Subscriberthon, our amazing online editor gives you one last (very good) reason to subscribe Editorial team What's in store for the last day of Subscriberthon? First published in Overland Issue 228 10 November 202210 November 2022 Main Posts On the second-last day of Subscriberthon, our favourite editor-duo give you reason #1002 to subscribe to Overland Editorial team What's in store for the second-last day of Subscriberthon?
