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ASAWA NI AKO

(A Song for All the Little Sunshines) In the outskirts of Manila In the barrio called Pasay The soldiers used to bogao Just the same as you and I. The dalagas used to gather By the banyan near the pool Where the carabao used to wallow And the behos used to drool. It was there that first I met her; Anacleto was her name; Dark she was, her hair was darker; Where she used to search for game. Four feet tall in red chinelas When she wasn't squatted down And she coyly shook the dirt off Of her peso cotton gown. But I left here there forever For I couldn't stand the strain. Thank gawd! I left Manila And my GuGu wife or twain! Adios!

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OLD SOLDIERS' DRUMS

I'm just too old for drilling I can't hike anymore; So I'm bound for the soldiers' graveyard Behind an office door. They sing - "Old soldiers never die." We don't; we live on crumbs - The shrilling, splendid bugles An' the thunder of the drums! I won't do Guard in a snowstorm An' I won't hafta go an' fire; It's just messin' around an office An' waiting to retire. "Approved per First Indorsement ..." An' through the window comes The music of a Guardmount An' the cadenced, throbbin' drums! Twenty-three and a butt in the Doughboys; Why, I've hiked a million miles! But they said my age couldn't stand it An' they detailed me to the files! This work is nice for some men Who can take it as it comes. But you know their hearts ain't achin' For the pullin', poundin' drums! D.S. 1/4C. an' a non-combatant! When there's guys tha'd give their life To piddle around an office An' go home at night to the wife. But I'll get back to formation; There's a day that always comes: An' I'll ride on a painted cassion With the muffled, sobbin' drums!

Bradley began writing poetry during his time stationed in the Phillipines.

Beside "Asawa Ni Ako," other poems about the islands include:

Maneuvers	1924
Island Days	October 18, 1928
Outcasts	November 7, 1928
Naic Beach	January 2, 1929
Tuan Jimmy	January 16, 1929