MAMA SAN – C 2012 Jojo
Mama san, oh Mama san why do they call me names?
Why won’t they let me join and play in any of their games?
Why do they call me round eyes, Mama, why do they hate me so?
Tell me Mama san please tell me, I really need to know.
Your father was American, his name was Billy too,
We really loved each other in the way that grown ups do,
His unit was transferred away, back to own his home land,
He left without ever knowing he had fathered a fine lad.
So why don’t you write to him Mama, why don’t you let him know?
If he knew about me, mama do you think he’d want us to go
To be with him in America, and my torment here would end?
Please write to him dear Mama san and a letter to him send?
He has a wife and family, in his land so far away,
I don’t know where he lives, but I think of him each day
There is nothing I can do Billy, to ease your daily pain,
You and I can only hope that he’ll come back again.
Mama san, my mama san, I know what you say is true,
And all I can say is that every day, I am so glad that I have you.
You are my hope, my life, my comforter, my only source of joy,
To others I’m a “round eyes,” but in fact I am a lucky boy.
There were a lot of kids in that boat. Every war produces them, because in the midst of war love always rears it’s head.
Love never thinks of politics.
Yes Way, I agree with you, but it isn’t necessarily love that rears its head, it can be just lust and the need to find comfort, enjoyment, pleasure and peace in the midst of the madness.
JoJo, very poignant. Hope their are none by me in Vietnam; I’ve thought about that more than once, my goodness if so would be in his or her late 40’s if alive.
Well Oldbull, you never will know I guess. Glad you enjoyed my poem. Wars bring about so many tragedies and these innocent kids are one of them. Thanks for our comment.
very good jo and also true.
Thanks so much jcb – I’m delighted you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment.