Freedsong: Dream Song

Our Box Henry hid away.

John Berryman’s Ol’ Henry sulked.

I see his point—he was trying to put one over.

It was that he thought that we thought

he could do it that breaks our Henry out this-a-way.

So, here he will come out and talk.

All the world like a fool-bent lover

once did see from Ol’ Henry’s side.

Here comes a departure:

hereafter, something falls out. Now, it might go fraught.

Let us see how Box Henry, pried

open for all to see, survives.

What he has now to say is a long

wonder the world can bear and see.

Once, with his black-face worn, John was glad

all at the top. And he sang.

Here, in this land where some strong be,

let Box Henry grow in every head.

From Dream Song 1

Source: OLIO (Wave Books, 2016)