75

John came down the staircase

And stood at the foot of it

Dazed and looking around the

Kitchen golden in his hair and

At the outline of his forearms.

I was eating corn flakes and

There was cool air at the sill

Pushing the flakes like boats and

John said good morning Dew.

His face was burnt and his hair

Messed yellow and he smiled.

The rye I could see out the

Window of the back wall was

Sawing down the wind and

It was shivering like weeds in a

Scrappy verge against the sky.

I swallowed a pap of corn and

Said when'd you and pa get in

And he said late when you're

Done come out in the yard kid.

He made a darkness at the door.