earth by august

anyone slept through a pretty how now
(while up so float still many bells down)
summer autumn winter spring
he thunk his thought he drunk his drink

reaching for everything (no one could touch)
mattered to anyone anymore not much
they lived their love they dram their dream
over under out between

children guessed (if only they knew
but down they forgot when up they grew
north by south found east by west)
that everyone missed him less by less

what by then was who by now?
answering anyone’s anyhow
won by lost in space have gone
nothing bothers her at all

sometime just about anywhere
hang for hours and run for days
(seek find hold but still) was
slipping from somewhere anytime soon

clouds snow stars rain
(only their laughter will bring any pain
as children forget what not to remember
up will come floating still many bells down)

where went why was anyone’s guess
(since no one sends their saving grace) 
much by more slid by and by
have by have not one more time

all in all rolls on and on
and day by day we greet the dawn
nowhere by somewhen earth by august
would by then will if one can

everyone slept (through thick and thin)
falling down summers sprang winters again
one by one change same old same
clouds snow stars reign


hyattsville, maryland 
07/1981

(originally a much by more 
insightful and delightful
1940 e.e. cummings poem)