Renowned Chinese poet and writer Cao Shui has unveiled a new visual and poetic project titled “Alaska: The Duel Between the Dragon and the Eagle” through his official social media account. The work blends poetry, visual art, and documentary elements.
Written by Cao Shui, narrated by Liu Zongnan, and produced by Zhang Jianjun, the piece symbolizes a metaphorical clash between the dragon—representing Chinese civilization—and the eagle, a symbol of American power. It reflects on themes of conflict and convergence between East and West through a poetic lens.
The poster includes logos of several international cultural organizations, including the World Poetry Movement (WPM), suggesting a global collaboration on this ambitious project, which is expected to be featured in international poetry and cultural festivals.
The snoring of dragons beats the western Pacific
The dragon is slowly waking up
Passing Miyako Strait
The hawk’s howl sweeps across the eastern Pacific
The eagle is flying proudly
Standing on the Hawaiian Island
They meet on the international date change line
They fight in Kiribati
The unicorn is not a thing in the pool
Turn into a flying dragon in case of wind and cloud
With the dream of 5000 years of prosperity in the Han and Tang Dynasties
Genghis Khan’s cavalry gave birth to wings and rode forward
The Oriental Dragon rushes into the sky
The destiny of an eagle is the sky
Eagle’s mission is to fight
With the ambition of 20000 miles in the Roman Empire
Elizabeth’s fleet was sailing at full speed
The bald eagle flies into the cloud
This is not the south, not the north
This is not the East, not the West
They’re going to fight it out
They looked at each other all the way from Kiribati to Alaska
Eagle attacks from the position of strength
James Monroe said: America is America of Americans
The dragon draws an arc of power in the air
Giant Dragon says: Asia is Asia of Asians
Eagle and dragon duel in the air
They show their strength
Finally, each returns to his own nest
They want to draw an international date change line on the Pacific
Biography of Cao Shui
Cao Shui, also Shawn Cao (born in Jun 5, 1982), is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads the Great Poetry Movement. His most notable works includes Epic of Eurasia, the already mentioned trilogy and King Peacock (TV series). So far fourty books of Cao Shui have been published, including 10 poem collections, 5 essay collections, 10 novels, 4 translations, 18 fairy tales and 100 episodes TV series and films. He has won more than 50 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 24 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, deputy editor in chief of World Poetry, Asian coordinator of World Poetry Movement, Chinese representative of BRICS Writers Association, executive president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, Chairman of Beijing International Poetry Film Festival. Currently he lives in Beijing, and works as a professional writer and screenwriter.
阿拉斯加：龙与鹰的对决
龙的鼾声拍打西太平洋
龙在慢慢醒来
经过宫古海峡
鹰的啸叫掠过东太平洋
鹰在傲慢飞翔
站在夏威夷岛
他们在国际日期变更线上相遇
他们在基里巴斯对决
麒麟岂是池中物
一遇风云变飞龙
带着汉唐盛世五千年的梦想
成吉思汗的马队生出翅膀踏马向前
东方巨龙冲上天空
鹰的命运是天空
鹰的使命是搏击
携着罗马帝国两万里的野心
伊丽莎白的船队伸展风帆全速前进
白头秃鹰飞入云中
这里不是南方不是北方
这里不是东方不是西方
他们要一决高下
他们从基里巴斯一路对视到阿拉斯加
鹰从实力的地位出发攻击
门罗说：美洲是美洲人的美洲
龙在空中划出力量的弧线
巨龙说：亚洲是亚洲人的亚洲
鹰和龙在空中对决
他们展示各自的力量
最终各自返回自己的巢穴
他们要在太平洋上划国际日期变更线而治
2021.4.20作于北京亚欧非之家，2021.4.26改于西宁巴别塔尖
