an ode to The Republic of Estonia

Have you heard about Estonia?

Over a million souls live there
not counting bear, lynx, wolf or hare;
Aside from the fair and cultured mainland,
there is many, many a quiet island

It's a fairly temperate place,
the first natives were split
from the singular Finnish race

There are cities like Tallinn:
history-steeped and grand,
there are woods lovely dark and deep

there is fruitful farm land...
though not the easiest to farm
I understand

Estonia has been ruled by Nazis,
Russian tsars and Russian reds,
by Danes and even by Swedes like me...
but in its heart Estonia
has always been free,
possessed of a proud
and perserverant identity

Now, my fellow yankees
and readers across the seas...
you have heard about Estonia