Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2018 | Page 38

Changing History of Westward Journeys
Kennedy School, Tsang, Eric - 10
Fourteen hundred years ago,
A Chinese monk set off in quest.
A journey to obtain Buddhist texts
Which were located far west.
His lengthy travel lasted years,
To India from central China.
Finally his journey ended
In a place called Nalanda.
He arrived at a tranquil monastery.
A place of dreamlike education.
Youths were learning in harmony
Without the slightest friction.
Now what about those ancient journeys?
Some assume they have ceased.
Yet those adventures are far from over.
Lots of trips westward still remain at least.
Boarding schools, campuses and school field trips,
Plus supplies and tech trade need chaps to roam.
Journeys to the west fulfil these needs.
Even folk get decent jobs west of home.
Journeys to the West still don’t fade
As the endless modern days pass by.
Westward trips are always important
So the customs are never going to die.