Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2020complete | Page 75

The older version of the boy proposes an agreement-
To teach his younger self the ways of their trade,
Instructing him in life, informing him of the future,
Promising that before long, his business will see definite achievement.
With this deal struck,
The boy returned to his time, armed with knowledge of required actions
Unable to believe
His inconceivable luck.
Investments were made,
Every stock was bought and sold
At the perfect opportunity, and at first no one suspected
Any kind of external aid.
The boy’s standing in society rose
People took notice.
Before long,
Talk quickly arose.
It must be a hoax
They cried.
Magic. Meddling. Alas, the true telling,
from him they’ll never coax.
This concludes the account
Said the man to his grandmother,
Hopefully it inspired a few to realise that there’s no such thing,
As something you can’t surmount.
With that said and done,
I have a few pressing errands to run.
Thank you for your time, I wish good health upon you
With that said he was gone.
He got back to his estate to greet his visitor who had just travelled through the years,
Leading him through his house,
The interior as lavish as the outside - draped in fine silk, chiselled out of marble,
Lit with numerous crystal chandeliers.
To discuss this extraordinary event
They took lunch in a spacious sitting room,
Debating if circumstances can be changed with direction
And if so,
to what extent?