Saturday, February 7, 2015

To Sleeptown



“How far is it to sleeptown?”
     I asked of “Baby Joe”,
As sleepily he looked at me
     Beneath the lamp’ dim glow.

Then, with a dreamy far off look
     He shook his curls of tow,
And answered in a doubtful voice:
     “Do’ know, papa, do’ know.”

“Where is the land of sleeptown?”
     I asked, inclining low,
The while I held his limp, white hand,
     So like the apple flow.

Then, with one finger raised aloft,
     (A half an inch or so)
He lisped between his deepening breaths:
     “Dus over, o – ver – o’.”


Feb. 7, ‘93
Pub. in Camb. Press,

June 2, ‘94

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