Made In China Poem by Sheena Blackhall

What did the Chinese give to the world?
Abacus, bells and brandy
The calendar, compass, crossbow
Fireworks…the world's first whisky

They gave us the decimal system
Drilling for oil, and lacquer
Gunpowder and mechanical clocks
Fishing reels, kites and paper

Flamethrowers and flush toilets
Helicopters, silk and rudders
Magic mirrors and parachutes
Porcelain and horse collars

Iron ploughs, the suspension bridge
Matches and printmaking
Relief maps, stirrups, umbrellas
Wheelbarrows, where work's back breaking

What did the Chinese give to the world?
Subtract from life these things
I'd miss the bells and the fireworks
The fun and the useless things!