I keep remembering the churches
the people and their sad faces
trembling over faded
operatic lungs
that can stop gasping
but will not—
raising hands in the air
I keep remembering the organ
its weary cry drenched in Pica**o blue
the desperate stare of scarcity
fists clinched—
raising hands in the air
I keep remembering the bluster
the depressions in the earth
hordes of old women gossiping
with frowns turned upside down
properly trimmed—
raising hands in the air
I keep remembering the girl's dresses
their young black legs
secured by tall fathers
soles stamping incensed
the B-24 Liberator,
solar powered war—
and the people
raising hands in the air