Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 131

A Scribe's Account of his Malacca's trip
St. Joseph's College, Chan, Benjamin - 16
Into the Straits of Malacca we steered,
In awe was all by the prowess of our fleet,
A voyage of splendor where all revered,
A showcase of majestic grandeur none could beat.
Gifts of silken silk were bestowed,
Ming's porcelains of blue and white were present,
Gold and silvers dole out to tributes stole the show,
Prosperity of the Middle Kingdom one must assent.
Traders flaunt their extravagant wealth,
Adorning their wives and concubines with the finest,
Bargaining the prices of goods with stealth,
Loading their ships with barrels of exotic spice, ivories, and bird's nest.
Came one day, the union of merchants to the local maidens,
A fusion giving birth to a new hybrid society,
The unique Baba and Nyonya no one could mistaken,
For they were the affluent who live like the royalty.
The Nyonyas clad their intricately embroidered sarong kebaya,
Pinning their golden kerongang and wearing the beaded kasut manek at their dainty feet,
Retaining their Chinese heritage while adapting the customs of Malaya,
They, indeed, lead a life oh so flamboyant and sweet!
On to the imperial record I must scribe,
Lucrative trades, contended subjects and triumphant tributes of sworn allegiance,
The Mandate of Heaven has been fulfilled as described,
The favour of Heaven upon the Emperor has taken credence!
Victorious Voyages
St. Mark's School, Lau, Natalie - 15
Voyages by the Ming Treasure Fleet,
Seven perilous challenges did they surmount;
Facing the roaring Sea whose fiery ringlets
Swirled and span in threats.
Venturing into the unknown indigo of possibilities
Where Death summoned his troops of cruelties.
Though numberless enemies awaited in their way,
Still these brave souls managed to run away.
Exquisite treasures discovered in shoreless oceans,
Relationships blossomed among coasts and nations.
These gallant travelers made such history.
Are you not amazed by their victory?