A CANAL WRITTEN IN BLOOD

From the death of many came a beauty for sore eyes, 
A bridge for two unlike waters — the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, 
The Panama Canal, 
The greatest engineering project in human history.

It did come with a cost:
The lives of many — lost, 
Tropical diseases, 
Financial problems, 
All led to the crashing of the dreams of the French. 

Then another from the American continent —
The United States of America. 
With ego running high and strategic reasons, 
They decided to be the saviour in gleaming armour, 
But were faced with rejection from Colombia, 
Who controlled that province. 

The United States decided not to let go without a fight. 
A whisper here, a whisper there, 
An uprising arose, 
And the Panamanians fought for their independence and were victorious, 
Leading to its official creation.

Trust me, this tale does not end here. With a token, this strip was bought from the Panama government. 
Theodore Roosevelt began the work for this canal. 
Unlike that of the French, 
It was thoroughly planned and structured. 
A system of locks, dams, and gravity was put in place. 

Under ten years, a beauty was birthed.
For the Panama Canal, 
Thousands died so ships could save time. 
Now a major route for world trade, 
And Panama’s saving grace.

In truth, 
There is no beauty without destruction. 

Dorcas

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