Lullaby
Elliott batTzedek

What is the oldest true thing
you know 	      and how
does it bind you?

Softly, I pray for you, gently—
Mississippi River silt, puppy ears, bunny fur,
Downy, Charmin, Palmolive

or if rigidly     	 then may it, I pray,
be the spine that keeps you upright
as the cedars of Lebanon

Mine wraps me tight	      so calm so
reassuring, lullabying its sweet refrain:
there is no place for you in this world

there is no    place         for you          in this world
there is no   there is no   there is no    there is no place
there is no   there is no   there is no    there is no you