Page 5

"Your birds all sound quite interesting
With gay, bright-colored quills;
With tuneless songs and stumpy legs,
And funny, out-size balls!"

"But none of these surprises me much -
Your birds or flowers or bees;
It takes my breath, though, hearing how
Your melons grow on trees!"

"I'd like to visit your Panama
If it weren't so far away;
I'd like to sail warm, tropic seas
Where flying fishes play!"

"I'd like to drink some cocoanut milk,
Eat pineapples cut into slits;
I'd like to quaff off some Atlas beer
And visit your Kelly's Ritz!"

"I'd like to see policemen stand 
Beneath their wide umbrellas;
I'd like to see Hindus and Chinks
And other foreign fellows!"

"I'd love to see some palm-thatched huts
On fincas (tiny ranches);
I'd like to see fence posts that sprout
And grow up into branches!"

"But - change my sleigh for an aeroplane?
Give up my snowy Christmas?
Not this year, Friend, though I'd like to see
Your lovely, tropic Isthmus!"

"I'll send gifts with you for the folks on the Zone,
To see that they have a fine Christmas;
And then I'll appoint me an agent down there
Who'll do all my work on the Isthmus!"

"Now first comes this gift for your Zone governor,
(He'd like it, I think, in a hurry);
Just give this to him with old Santa's regards
One whole day to rest - free from worry!"

"For the women down there, (You see, Santa knows
What a lady always stresses),
I am sending a trunk filled with parties and teas,
And dances, and pretty dresses!"

"To the men who always seem to think
That live is a bit contrary,
I am sending a way to make their wives
Go light on the commissary!"

"To the Isthmian kids, I send warm days
And nights that are cool and breezy;
Some dolls and tops and drums and horns,
And arithmetic that's easy!"