Our Poet's July Poem

                                              

                      COLONIALISM, REVISITED,

       or, How the Philippines Made a Quick One-Eighty

"After over 90 eventful years, at the insistence of the Philippine  

government, U.S. naval and military forces have been obliged to   

withdraw entirely from their former bases at Subic Bay, Clark Field    

and all other such installations throughout the island nation.

Thus an era is ended, with formal closings and last salutes." – News item, 1992

On the coast of ancient Luzon,

By the blue South China Sea,

There was once a naval station

Where the Stars and Stripes flew free,

While below Mount Pinatubo,

Spread across the central plains,

Stood a mighty U.S. air base—

But of these, small trace remains.      

Now some woeful politicians,

And Olongapo's lorn whores,

Have set up a mournful chorus,

"O return to Luzon's shores!

Come ye back, O Yankee sailors,

Come ye back to Subic Bay!

For we never thought we'd miss you

Till you up and sailed away.

"For the Chinese creep upon us,

Ever nibbling at our land,

As their navy and their air force

Almost visibly expand.

O 'tis true, we made you leave us,

In our pettiness and pride,

But we sorely miss the safety

That your presence would provide.

"We'll refurbish docks and barracks,

We'll reopen Clark Field, too,

How we'll grovel with repentance,

For we love Red, White and Blue!

Come ye back, dear Uncle Sugar,

(And be sure to bring that cash),

Lest the terrible Red Dragon

Turn our country into ash!"