silver cooling dawn
distant shapes men, haul anchor
at once, all away

tropical island
though winter does not pass here
poverty is cold

closing light showers
covered in February
rains disappear fire

siren wailing bells
thick fear rise rise look Look LOOK
silent blacked-out prayers

trapped behind steel grill
flames spew heat and smoking crowds
twist and turn the poor

© 2017 Melinda J. Irvine