EL SALVADOR

(from my book: “Furrow”)

Refugee worker shot behind peaceable ear for
Hearing, feeling, thinking the
Truth.
Woman, three months’ pregnant
Learns that husband is dead.
Government officials deny that.
Americans hurl helicopters to
Kill others with MGs, X, Y, Z.
Old women cry and clench knotted fingers around
Blood-soaked threads in
Terror of nothing they understand.
Babies wail for milk from
Mothers without nourishment for
Nine nights.
Temporary tents for temporary faith.
Man’s inhumanity to man.