An Island

An Island stands tall be’ng alone

Peace with Tokugawa

Great feudal clans grapple for pow’r

Surrounded by rich aqua

An Island guarded by divines

Stands to stop invasion

Twice it rose to stop Mongol--Khan

Fearful of thrice- absorption

An old island falls-- parasites

Grey ships come forth with Perry

White ships belching black bring gifts

The old island accepts-- wary

A young island rises ready

Restrained by revolt

By ancient ways-- by great samurai

Honor above all-- won’t bolt

An island--conflicted culture

Great old versus new young

Gleaming swords versus dull rifles

Samurai-- Judas stung

Old Island dies-- new island comes

The Code falls-- great souls fall

Some by his soul-- some by rifle

Ancestry appalled