Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 124

On the sixth voyage envoys of sixteen countries were showered
With gifts as their hardwork and patience has helped our fleet flowered
Into a striking sensation that often bestowed lavish tributes
Ranging from paper and coin money to ceremonial robes and linings to distribute
The troops in campaign against the Mongols came in full flight
The wind blew swiftly yet cold in the night
As the Yongle emperor finally rested into eternal sleep
One last voyage must be made in gratitude for our friend before the fleet dared to weep
On the seventh voyage we visited at least seventeen ports between Champa and Kenya
It was time to say goodbye to Zheng He and farewell to this magnificent era
Our great navigator knocked on heaven’s door and was buried in the ocean
A braid of his hair and a pair of his shoes was buried in Nanjing as part of our devotion
We have travelled more than one hundred thousand li of immense water spaces
We have set our eyes on barbarian regions hidden in blue without graces
Beating against savage waves that were rising sky-high for us to see
Whilst our eyes beheld the starry night and the starry sea
These seven voyages will forever have a lasting memory
China had reached into a preeminent naval power of the early fifthteenth century
Trade was still flourishing long after our adventures had ceased
Trading around India and East Africa did not decreased
The clock ticked further and so did the tributary system faded further
Political power shifted to the civil officials with future conflicts murmured
There was not enough support for the Eunuch faction to initiate any new expedition
The Indian Ocean was an empty void without a strong fleet in dominant position
The ocean : the final frontier
These are the voyages of Ming China’s treasure fleet
Its mission : to build trust and loyalty on maritime trade
To create friendships through exchanging tributes
To advocate Ming Dynasty China in the place of honour