Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2019 | Page 58

Victory off the horn of Africa Ying Wa Primary School, Ford, Jonathan - 11 The waters were dangerous, Ships that survived were rare, And the coast off Mogadishu, Was a veritable pirates lair. Yet Zheng He sailed with purpose, The Emperor’s message his key, Pacify the Swahili trade routes, Then extract tribute as a fee. Wang Jinghong, Li Xing and Yang Zhen, Zheng He’s trusty seconds in command, Ordered men to serve as lookouts, Critical as the fleet neared land. However, no pirates showed themselves, Was this to be the order of the day? Surely it could not be so in these seas, Where danger lurked in every bay. Then suddenly a cry came from above, Armada ahoy! Every man to your gun! An armed fleet of Arab dhows, Was spotted sailing against the rising sun. That day, a battle to end all battles ensued, Cannons roared and proud ships sank, Sailors were cut down with swords, And the stench of blood was rank. On and on went the brutal mayhem, Throughout the day and through the night, Then at the coming of the following morn, Zheng He was triumphant in the early light. From that epoch-making time on, Zheng He’s fleets traded the Swahili coast, Their reputation protecting their way, A tribute paid that was the envy of most. As for the Mogadishu pirates, They surprisingly turned upon their own, And henceforth only raided Arab dhows, So a network of local rivalry was sewn.