Sunrise on Huampu River

Oodgeroo Noonuccal

Shanghai, September 23, 1984

Oh!

the Huampu River

Is full of life.

It’s busy boats

Going from there to there.

Fussy tugs, like clucking hens

Shooing their sister boats,

Out of their way.

Transport boats

Link together, like strings of beads,

Cluttering the waterway.

Overseas liners, proud and aloof,

Stand immobile

At their wharves,

Waiting for their sister tugs,

To get them moving.

On shore,

Chimney stacks,

Billow smoke into the still air.

The sun rises over the horizon,

Streaking the river

With reflections of gold,

Heralding,

The birth of another day.