St. Bartholomew's Church

(Szobiszowice/Petersdorf) 1241 Stone by stone in the name of the Lord, with blood and bone, with lance and sword, the Templars build their little church, while in the field the Mongols lurch, and blowflies buzz above the hill of what once was another kill. Two arrows wan a slanted eye; a young noyan prepares to die. 1945 Centuries have passed. We thank our destinies no Soviet tank or errant round in one hit razes it to the ground. Sunlight blazes upon its steeple, even as cries from local people fill the skies. Heaped in carts near its buttressed walls, they've only fear to break their falls.