Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 17

The Last Journey of the Greatest Explorer
Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Ching, Helen - 10
Angry sea winds swallow us into the darkness.
Mountain-high waves rock our ship to restlessness,
Shaking the Swimming Dragon to the bottom of the gloominess.
The raging lightning strikes our masts with no pity,
Breaking the Dragon feet wickedly,
Making it kneel with utmost anxiety.
Fear floods my soul, from head to toes.
I’m frightened, but stand firmer than a boulder on a bumpy road.
My almighty Tianfei , my Heavenly Princess,
May our utmost sincerity shore up our valiant soul,
Sweep the life-taking antagonists, again, off the road.
I always stand by my master to his greatest loyal goal.
The holy incense lighted by my ignited heart.
Billows of shiny smoke curling in the dark,
Bittersweet smell of the burning wood awakens the thrilling stories.
Icy rain and tears drip on my tired body.
Blur my vision, the indelible memory of glory.
We are valorous explorers and always defeat enemies.
Standing proudly on the deck of the Swimming Dragon,
Five thousand fierce-looking pirates roared and screamed.
Blood-thirsty arrows soared like lightning beats.
The “whoosh” roared inches beside our ears.
The powerful Ming Treasure Fleet will never retreat.
Loyal soldiers stood firm and neat.
Panic flooded my body, from ears to soles.
I was scared, but stood firmer than big tree bole.
I charged forward with honor and spear,
Corpses and blood spattered on sea water.
Mercy to the Corpse Flowers, they almost drooped.
Our courageous soldiers restored peace.
We sailed to Sinhalese Kotte kingdom and offered harmony,
Welcomed by the hostile and given agony.
Lured into the land of overbearing enemies
Deadly weapons were waiting to pierce our motionless bodies.
We were outnumbered as minority,
Waiting for our wise master to deploy his brilliant strategy.
Anger flooded our crew – entirely.
I was agitated, and stood firmer than a tombstone in the cemetery.
We fought the rude and discourteous to the finality,
Infinite courage and wisdom was our weapon.
We captured the king before he knew what had happened.
We took him to Nanjing, a real wonderful heaven.
Beyond challenges, we voyaged through the Indian Ocean.
Friendships were built with ardent and colorful nations.
We shared the wisdom of our peaceful expeditions,
Delivered deluxe treasures of our kind dynasty.
The powerful Ming Treasure Fleet
Shipped back a mountain of eye-opening discoveries.