Babies Falling

where the workers stand in querulous rows awaiting dislocation
I will be there too
when you're cashing in your food stamps
when you're sleeping in a cattle train
I'll be with you
pushing up against the ticket counter window
face against the glass
bleeding from the waist
and kissing to be chaste
it is said that those who will not rest
have been cursed to tramp
like soldiers through the marshes
or that blessed are the ones who leave the stage
like babies falling fast asleep

so I twice am cursed and twice am stuck
affixed to this corner of the earth
that old river keeps on rolling
but the old man doesn't see it
he just stands there with his eyes closed
asking: "where'd you go? Where'd you go?"

so whererever you may sleep tonight
be it bed or bedrock, home, or open field:
when your breathing slows and your eyes are closed
and you begin to yield
then whatever you have taken as your pillow
may it serve as mine as well

underneath the weeping willow I will wait for you forever
my eyes forever closed
asking: "where'd you go? where'd you go?"