Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2017 | Page 157

They Know Harrow International School Hong Kong, Gao, Pernille - 14 Shielding her face from passing strangers Hiding her name, crouching low. Disguising her faith and language They know, they know. The slip of a tongue, the whisper of a vowel the spatter of a word in a language so despised A glare and a glance, mutters in a crowd They know, they know. Shame filled the air, clinging to her skin Fear and hatred ringing in her mind. The Japanese girl in Shanghai will die They know, they know. A hand cupped her mouth and darkness came Needles of pain stung her back, A face appeared then a nozzle of a gun They know, they know. A body lay on the floor, a pale, young face Sprawled in a circle of blood They know, they know.