sara chickering does bundle me

in my coat and boots

and hat and scarf and gloves.

and i do go down western avenue

knocking on doors,

selling christmas seals

and eating cookies

while sara chickering

does stand outside each door

waiting for me to come back out

so she can bring me safely home.

she is so funny, sara chickering.

i have thinkings she is like a hen over the warm eggs

since i tried to take the heaven train.

but since the bullet did come through her kitchen door

she does jump when a tree cracks,

she does stand and watch me in my bed when

she thinks i am having sleeps

and i pat my bed

and i do say good things to sara chickering

so she can sleep.

i do tell her stories about the animals in the woods

and the animals on the farm

and the animals in the circus

and at the fair.

but i still have wakings and she is watching me in my

sleeps.