Wichita mourning
david matherne
pipe organs—dusty and tarnished—
bellowed the ancient song,
as movers carried the pews
for one last time.
frozen branches—heavy with ice arms— 5
couldn’t perform their dance,
as workmen shuffled inside
the worn-out floors.
sally richards—broken and mourning—
watched while her father left, 10
as painters brought in their cans
for the first time.
stained-glass windows—buckled and broken—
surveyed commotion’s cause
as commerce won in the end 15
yet one more time.
reverend richards—feeble and finished—
cried as his exit was lost
on christians who worshiped the dime;
a change of the times. 20
the poet uses words and images to create a tone that is