she borders the pavement flanks avenues the parades pass white glove attended by my mother the war she'll raise a shaft lift a banner toss a rose my mother the war she knows every neighbor chats at their doors compare econosize electric appliances come share tea and a seat by my cradle with my mother the war forsaken vigil three years each tour hands of God enfold him prayed mother of the war haunt a doorway beg a postman is there word for mother the war 5 black stars in bitter defiance she's spitting the corps wet a brood short league for combat my mother the war well acquainted with sorrow with grief my mother the war folded lace carrion and blood soaked robes folded lace carrion blood soaked shroud my mother the war