Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 23

4)
The new successor, again, met his fate,
An adventurous one took his place.
A final voyage came for the fleet,
Though the admiral felt as white as a sheet.
This last great voyage lasted three years;
Among seventeen ports between Champa and Kenya.
On the path of return, the admiral deceased;
The crew buried him at sea and in peace.
At last the fleet left the unknown,
Returning alive and not alone.
Long, long ago, in a certain dynasty,
When pirates roamed, the endless Seven Seas.
A fearless fleet voyaged within,
Linking, among countries, remembering, where they’ve been.
Each ship passed out gifts, silk, and gold,
Making friends with foreign places.
Together, the fleet had their mission done,
But it seems as all had just begun.
Brave and careful, into the unknown,
Returning, alive, and not alone.