The heart of Hong Kong has a regular beat
But the heart of Hong Kong is not building or street.
Star Ferry it is which pulses that place
Star Ferry which shows its dynamic face.
The surge of young people in shining white shirts
And dark, almost uniform, trousers or skirts
Creates chatter and clatter as seat backs reverse
And the ferry returns on its course long rehearsed
Past tugs and their barges, small boats single-manned,
Great ships with huge stacks of containers to land
And family junks sporting washing to dry -
Overhead wheel black kites punctuating the sky.
On the island itself lofted white stalagmites
Are the base for the wielders of financial might
But the go-downs have gone from the shore of Kowloon
And vast shopping malls have taken their room.
Island of enterprise, aura and spell
Mainland of factory, store and hotel -
Though the tunnel may feed them and commerce sustain
Star Ferry's their lively and life-giving vein.
(c) John Wedge
No comments:
Post a Comment