The Poetry Corner

Us For Sam

By Pat O'Cotter

While all Europe is a shambles And the whole world is at war, And half the land the sun shines on Is drenched in human gore; When every Nation counts the men It knows are tried and true We send this message to you, Sam, "Alaska stands with you." You never treated us quite right-- You grabbed away our coal, You reserved all our fire wood And what we've used, we've stole. You soaked us on our cable tolls But we don't give a damn Even at twenty-eight cents per word WE'RE WITH YOU, UNCLE SAM. You've squandered untold millions On the filthy Philippines, But you always made Alaskans Go and rustle for their beans. And your black and tan possessions Tho they've cost you quite a few Can never be depended on, While we'd go thru Hell for you. We're quite unused to luxuries And we've always played alone, When we asked for help to build our trails You handed us a stone. You've four-flushed on the railroads But we don't care a damn, If they monkey with the Eagle WE'RE WITH YOU, UNCLE SAM. You gave us lief to make some laws Then tied our hands behind; That gift to us was just the same As pictures to the blind. Your laws all have a "joker," Made to catch some Sourdough, And it's hard to beat the game, Sam, The way it's framed up down below. We've always been the dumping ground For your political misfits, But Sam, if you're in trouble We're willing to call it "quits." We've never had an even break, But we don't care a damn; If the Lion growls, remember this, WE'RE WITH YOU, UNCLE SAM. We're used to meeting troubles And if you put us to the test You'll find Alaska loves you, Sam, Far better than the rest. But Sam, when this is over, As morning follows night, Pray give us your attention And set some matters right. We need some decent cable rates, We need some decent mails, We need some decent coast lights And we need some decent trails. You've given these to all the rest But we don't care a damn; If it's full grown men you're needing WE'RE WITH YOU, UNCLE SAM.