Startled by Existence

Vertical Baby -- (a Lullaby with tune for the colicky kid.)

I am the vertical baby,

Don’t you ever lay me down.

On the ground is sore vexation,

Held upright is pure elation …

Oh, Daddy, Daddy if you please

bounce me on your horsey knees

I don’t ever want to sleep;

Stay with me all through the night

And lift me like a gentle kite.

NO -- I am not some asphalt

That I should be put down,

I am the Vertical Baby !

So rock me ever standing, or "tock" me

like a metronome.

Tyrannosaurus 2

That mouth

Would gulf the city if it could ..

Indeed,

Nothing is too sacred or too saline

For that tongue

Including

A rock, a sock,

A block, a cigarette butt,

Or little fingers --

wet with molten honey.