CROWDS

How easily their hands went in the air

In the town we thought they were waving

At first a few rolled to the sand

Like beach bathers stunned in the waves

Recumbent they cheered their distractors on

I drew happy faces on faces with o mouths

When I was surprised or sad

Evening came and the lamps

Cast dim blue shadows on the shatter lands

Then many waved and thrust their palms up

Thinking they were strong

Some defied the dim blue shadows

And lit cigars in cupped hands

Their faces were angry and red puffing the coals

They wrote books in dead languages

And then the parades began