For (and after) Vasily Grossman

¹Simple, canvas-covered bi-planes,
The Polikarpov U-2,
Designed as training planes,
Used as cropdusters
And termed 'Kerosinka'
('Kerosene lamps') for their talent
Of bursting easily into flames,
Flown by

² (The Germans’ nickname for)
Young Russian women,
Pilots, ages 18 to 20 years,
From the Dubovka airfield,
³Cutting their engines, gliding
4Across the Volga, over
The front lines at Mamaev Kurgen
(The high Tartar mound),

5Releasing night flares
To warn the Red Army's
Guards Rifle Divisions
Not to fire in the air,
6And throwing grenades,
And mines onto, into
7XIV Panzer Corps
Ofvon Paulus' 6^th Army.

_________

In their kerosene lamps1
Night witches2 fly
Silently3 west4
Lighting candles5
And handing
Their little gifts6
To Fritze7
Keeping him awake.