December 7, ’41…Pearl Harbor Day;
“A day of infamy’…in every way;
But then, our mettle was displayed in full, too find
Americans, in standing tall, were of one mind.
Despite the grief, the sense of loss, the battle’s score,
As of the 8th, the Japanese had lost the war.
And forty-five months later, that became a fact;
But Japanese surrender was not the final act.
Our occupation of Japan should be made clear;
To them, it was not done to heighten any fear.
A brand-new Constitution giving them self-rule
Would also make them realize freedom was a tool!
But how to use it without patronage brought shock;
Their women had new freedoms none could mock.
Democracy displace their ancient feudal line;
They found their “peace” not easy to define.
But we must not forget our efforts were humane;
And evidence of rapid rebound still remain.
Our “takeover’ was not one of subjugation then;
We must not lose that “mind-set” if in need again.
© Richard Williams