Leaps Of Faith

When the air raid siren rang

We hid - obediently - under our desks

Protected from atomic bomb blasts

By kindling wood and unshattering beliefs

Watched over by nuns of stronger faith

Standing - habited - at front of room

Monitoring the diligence of our movements

As the honesty of our test taking

Leading us in prayer

And pledges of allegiance

Not noticing or caring

How our little bodies shook

It was one of the few unpleasantries

Of the peaceful 1950's

And except for the day Johhny Iannonni wet his pants

We took it pretty well