Irene Coates
Lullaby to Nightmare
Smile pillowed in gentle sleep,
Creature without name of nation
Or feature or fang of fashion.
Smile against memory, sleep
Must forbid your dreaming.
I, maternal, mighty, satisfy the winds;
Lay once more the sand, the earth, to bear;
Stopper the suddenly uprushed mountains;
Catch in my hand the slant bombs;
Push back ocean and slow famine.
Let my lamplit eye dilated cure
You, sick, shrinking in some city; seek
More water beneath encrusted pavements;
Outstare the broken, blue-bastioned sun;
Watch my own fingers trace again the pattern,
Weaving new wonders beyond dusted buildings,
Winding wool walls wordless from dangers
Not yet come in the dark you sleep. Sleep,
And see yourself dream change the questions
Fear shall not deny also.
Page(s) 28
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