Imelda’s Lament

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           ( A true story of a woman who knew what she wore) 

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I was working in a bank but I could have been a singer    

My father, he forbade it – although we could have used the money

When Ferdinand first saw me, he thought I was a vision

And he knew I’d fit into his plan for power, fame and riches

And my hair was big and puffy, I was wearing kitten heels

 

Eleven days we courted, such a whirlwind romance

On the twelfth day we married without much preparation

It was May in Manilla and the Senator wore his uniform

Sampaguitas bloomed and we strolled amid the roses

 There were orchids in my hair, I was wearing strappy sandals.

 

Ferd longed to be president, I talked to all the politicians

I travelled ‘round the country to win support for my husband

I told the peasants to plant gardens so they wouldn’t be so hungry

I slept sitting upright, so I wouldn’t ruin my coiffure

I wore the latest fashions with my I Miller chunky heels

 

Ferdy was elected tenth president of the Philippines

 Sojourning through country, I championed some causes

In Europe and other places, I represented my country

With money from its coffers, I purchased NY real estate

 I was looking like a princess, I was wearing golden slippers.

 

 

 I felt the love of all the people, even though they were in tatters.

They saw me as one of them (although I knew I wasn’t)

They wanted me to enjoy the best things in the world

I was “some kind of light, a star to give them guidelines”

I wore a gold tiara with my jeweled ballet flats

 

We hosted the Gadhafis and we dined with our friend Saddam.

I purchased some Picassos and all the lovely things I wanted

And my closet was expanded for my latest acquisitions  

Which helped the Philippine economy, although I bought my shoes in Italy

The leather was like butter I was wearing  Italian  platforms

 

Ferdy was elected to a second term as president

But he wasn’t certain that he’d win for a third time

He declared martial law and appointed me Governor

Then someone tried to kill me but he was shot by security

I had 75 stitches and there was blood on my T-straps.

 

Damned Benigno Acquino started causing trouble 

So we put him in prison and then let him leave the country

To get bypass surgery but when he finally returned

Too bad but someone killed him as he got off the plane

But I swear I didn’t do it, I was dancing in my stilettos

 

The people got so angry, I don’t know what upset them

Ferdy wasn’t well so we thought we’d better vamos

The Reagans said Hawaii was a nice place to recover

So we took the first plane out with all the gold that we could carry

I had to walk quickly, I was wearing silver plimsolls.

 

Ferdy died in exile but they wouldn’t let me return him

To the place made for heroes, just because he was a tyrant

So I placed him in a casket made of refrigerated glass

Now everyone could see him lying there forever.

 I kissed the glass for the camera, I was wearing modest peep-toes

 

Now I’m back in the Philippines and again running for Congress

The memory of the people is as short as I suspected

The US didn’t convict me of racketeering and fraud charges

Lucky that I had money and some influential friends

But I still regret losing 2000 pairs of shoes