Gideon Oknin Poet Rhyme

Rescuer

Turks swept into Smyrna, set it aflame
Europe stood watching—silence its stain.
Desperate Christians crowded the Quay
Hoping for ships to take them away.

The crowd was missing women of marriageable age
Turkish forces had taken them, lets close that page
Some men swam to the boats, but orders said no
Sailors with bayonets pushed them back to the flow.

So, in the hour of darkness, who could come?
A lowly YMCA director braved the Turkish guns
His name was Asa Jennings, went up high, made a plea
Got an eleven-day window for those remaining to flee.

The Greeks had just lost a war, and were afraid
Asa went to the Greek leader, who was hard to persuade
Asa threatened he'd uncode their communications
The failure to act would be displayed to the nations.

Asa also went to the Turkish leader Ataturk.
Predicted world revulsion, argument partly worked.
Ataturk ruled young men must stay, women could flee
Men must go to labor camps, far from the sea.

Asa was just the head of the YMCA
He didn't have official power, but he bluffed anyway.
He threatened, lied and cajoled
It took nerve, but fortune favors the bold.

Asa got the Greek navy, and merchant marine
Moved a 3rd of a million, from that deadly scene.
Then radio requests began, more and more:
Jennings directed more ships to the Aegean shore

A rescue of over a million lives
Children and old men, husbands and wives.
Some American naval officers also did their part
They all deserve remembrance, they all had heart.

Some would say this story is oversimplified
There were others who helped, took the refugees side
Halsey and Giannis played important roles
In saving so many desperate souls.

But picture this, one man in the right place and time
It may never happen again, in your life or mine.
Asa Jennings, leading a convoy, Old Glory flying high
refugees cheered and refugees cried.

Asa was a religious man, maybe that's what it takes
Later in Lausanne, he negotiated more breaks
The men in labor camps could go to Greece
A prisoner exchange, since now there was peace.

Asa died at 55, a short lifespan
But who of us could do as much, let's honor the man.

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