Sunday In The British Empire: Hong Kong

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Title:     Sunday In The British Empire: Hong Kong
Author: Eunice Tietjens [More Titles by Tietjens]

In the aisle of the cathedral it lies, an army rifle of
    the latest type.
It is laid on the black and white mosaic, between the
    carved oaken pews and the strip of brown carpet
    in the aisle.
A crimson light from the stained-glass window yonder
    glints on the blue steel of its barrel, and the
    khaki of its shoulder-strap blends with the brown
    of the carpet.
The stiff backs of its owner and a hundred like him
    are very still.
The vested choir chants prettily.
Then the bishop speaks:
"O God, who art the author of peace and lover of
    concord,... defend us thy humble servants
    in all assaults of our enemies."
"Amen!" say the owners of the khaki backs.
The light has shifted a little. On the blue steel barrel
    of the rifle the glint is turquoise now.
That will be from the robe of the shepherd in the window
    yonder, He of the quiet eyes....
  Hong Kong

[The end]
Eunice Tietjens's poem: Sunday In The British Empire: Hong Kong

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