Books and numbers, books and school.
I cannot understand them, Lady
help me or I stay a fool.
Distorted – well of course they are
can’t put the French: transfigured too
Did you require a guide-book Sir?
Our Lady, help my father’s sorrow
Please to help my father’s sorrow.
Oh, Our Lady, please.
Please may I rise a form next term?
Or if I cannot rise a form
Please may I be the first in this
or second, third or fourth?
No ugly thing among them all
but altruistic love there is
(and ‘love for others’ oh the cant)
and love for others: that an’t cant, the pure
and ancient ancient piety.