Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 113

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voayages
HKUGA College, Cheung, Lik Hang Craigen - 15
The Emperor called an order
Zheng He was in charge
He was the most trusted retainer
As tough as a marble arch
He gathered a group of sailors
Who were ready for this adventure
He offered a sacred prayer
And waved to the mayor
From China they sailed to Vietnam
On the first leg with their treasure
The fleet met pirates but they were calm
The pirates escaped in terror
Down they went to the Indian Ocean
Settled down and traded with the locals
Herbs, tea, ores and lotions
And aquatic animals like turtles
Off they went on another trip
This time it weren’t as peaceful
They were ambushed and had to fight back
Zheng He’s retaliation was forceful
Floating bodies, shirts with red stains
The fleet took over many ships
Zheng He thought he was going insane
Luckily it marked the finale of the trip
The ship came back to where they belong’
The emperor was very pleased
Most of the crew could live on
And China’s prestige had increased