Perspective (Rhymes for the Times)

['It is sad and humiliating, but true, that our humanity is a / matter of geography. ' -- The _Pall Mall Gazette_.]

When told that twenty thousand Japs / Are drowned in a typhoon, / We feel a trifle shocked, perhaps, / But neither faint nor swoon. / 'Dear me! How tragic! ' we repeat; / 'Ah, well! Such things must be! ' / Our ordinary lunch we eat / And make a hearty tea; / Such loss of life (with shame I write) / Creates no loss of appetite!