Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 171

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Taiwan.

A diplomatic problem posed

When many Chinese fled

The rise of Communism there—

When China added “Red.”

They fled in 1945

As Mao rose in force.

And we aligned with them so soon—

Opposing “Reds,” of course.

The capital is named Taipei,

And because of China’s stance,

We’ve had rough choreography

In diplomatic dance.

It was “Formosa” when I was

A very little lad.

But that has changed (so much has changed—

And much of it is bad!).

The lid has managed to stay on—

While trouble boils below.

Let’s hope that lid remains in place—

Or more than it will blow.