Dream Song 131: Come touch me baby in his waking dream

John Berryman 

Come touch me baby in his waking dream

disordered Henry murmured. I'll read you Hegel

and that will hurt your mind

I can't remember when you were unkind

but I will clear that block, I'll set you on fire

along with our babies

to save them up the high & ruined stairs,

my growing daughters. I am insane, I think,

they say & act so.

But then they let me out, and I must save them,

High fires will help, at this time, in my affairs.

I am insane, I know

and many of my close friends were half-sane

I see the rorschach for the dead on its way

Prop them up!

Trade us a lesson, pour me down a sink

I swear I'll love her always, like a drink

Let pass from me this cup