Micronesia, 1944

[mckenzee]

Women holding babes
as the old robes
placed food in the cave.

Sneaking through the trees
we three boys
spy on the Japanese.

So much food
no soldiers
and we were hungry.

Smoke swirled as
four tall hats
arranged the offering.

Crying to heaven
frightening the babies
frightening three boys,

the robes surged
driving the women
over the cliff,

into the waves,
babes still clinging
to their gods.

We waited,
then we ate.
Our gods lived in our bellies.