Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 112

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voayages
HKUGA College, Chan, Sheung Yat Arthur - 16
The Yongle Emperor demanded a voyage,
To improve the Ming Dynasty’s image.
So Zheng He was called upon
And an order was undergone
To set sail and show wealth, not carnage.
Zheng He’s fleet set out like pirates,
With imperial seals even a minister covets.
Their adventure turned awry
For not only mono or bi
But seven voyages took place, the emperor did advocate
They travelled to India and Africa without stealth.
To show off their treasures and project their wealth.
The foreigners rejoiced
Their kings’ opinions voiced
As they devoted themselves as tributaries like elves.
The fleet encountered the notorious pirate Zuyi,
And thus began the clash of their armies.
The enemy ships flooded
The sea bandits defeated
The voyagers rewarded, and since made history.
After years of unrelenting tiredness,
Zheng He left the world due to illness.
How the country mourned
A legend was born
And his statue was erected in greatness.