LEAP I’ THE DARK

 by moonlight i keep sheep i’ the dark

           in the tides of fortune ‘tis neap i’ the dark

           blue devils, black dogs, faint fits and funks

           the road of the sinner lies deep i’ the dark

           those deaf’ning bells do toll my doom

           o God i plead a peep i’ the dark

 at the throne of heaven, the gates of hell

 or lie like a sperrit asleep i’ the dark

 for my fancy fails at this Gregorian tree

 once a prig not afeared go creep i’ the dark

 gave it to swells on the back-slum

 the silver and pewter i’d sweep i’ the dark

 with the blunt i brimmed with bona robas

 brassy, ard bats dog-cheap i’ the dark

 now climb the stairs bright and brisk

 your fright, sheep-guts, keep i’ the dark

 black Ketch, the hangman, crapping cull

 Ma, forgive . . . don’t weep i’ the dark

 they don my shroud, the hood is drawn

 turned-off, turnips, neep i’ the dark

 can scarce recite the Hanging Psalm

 black drop i crave, a seep i’ the dark

 can’t utter no word my dismal ditty

 eyes blind and stark and steep i’ the dark

 roars the mob . . .  gen’leman in black?

 falling all in . . . a heap . . . i’ the dark

                                                           

                                                        
                   Michael Small              November 1 – 6, 2007