On My Father's Refusal to Renew his Subscription to The Beijing Review

He's fallen out with everyone,
including God, but hasn't had a rift with China.
Yet he's set his face against renewal.
'Getting near the end now.'
He never speaks of death or dying.
At ninety-eight too late to start anew?
'Aye, getting near the end.'
What can he mean?
A Five Year Plan whose targets he can't meet?
...