PARADISE ISLE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 48, 16 February 1943, Page 7

PARADISE ISLE

(By a Kiwi soldier somewhere in tlie Pacific) You have heard, no doubt, of tropical isles, Where sun-tanned maidens with lovely smiles Lie on the. beaches 'nealh spreading palms And welcome newcomers with outstretched arms. You have heard of the gentle breezes that blow, And the luscious fruits that the natives grow: While in shimmering waters, of azure 1)1 ue, Swim tropical fishes of every hue You have heard of romance by the sandy shores, And freedom unhindered by white man's laws: Where, drinks arc ample, tasty and cool f Andi the man who works is a ruddy ' fool. * Bui now 3*ou know if you've used 3*ou r eyes: That the stories you've heard are nothing but lies. That women there are, arc big and fat; 9 If you look at the others: 3-ou're on the mat. Your only fruit comes out of a tin; Mosquitoes feed on your tender skin. The "gentle breeze" is a stormy gale And tents must be struck—you know the tale. The only beaches are miles away, There's nothing to buy if you get your pay; And as for the men who never do work—They're only the experts who've learned how t.o shirk. They've rationed our beer, we can't get a drink, If you wan't to write home you'll find there's no ink. You wait every day to< see if there's mail, But they must. have, a house full up at Bourail. So when you go home (and let's hope its soon) If songs of the South Seas; New Zcalanders. croon Just tell them the truth as, you've seen it, like me In Pacific defence in the year '43.