Windows of my Childhood

Windows of my childhood
had women leaning out
    arms crossed
patiently waiting
for gossip to appear
and be passed on.
Windows of my childhood
had eyes looking out
    watching me
waiting for some mischief
    to report.
Windows of my childhood
recorded the lives
    below
through the eyes
    of beholders
judging people's progress
    beneath them.
Windows of my childhood
    bore flags
with silver or gold stars
    bearing witness
    to missing or dead
    sons or husbands.
Windows of my childhood
    bore witness
    to lives within
       and without.