SECRET PLACE

A DOWNS GIRL AND HER SECRET.

Della holds

tightly in

her stubby

nail bitten

8 fingers

a buttered

slice of toast

taking bites

now and then

then dips it

in the boiled

egg yoke deep

her mother

watches her

Downs daughter

with those kind

Mongoloid

bright blue eyes

how'd you sleep?

My eyes closed

Della says

sleep all night?

Yes all night

did you dream?

Had nightmare

what about?

Froggy's touch

what about

Froggy's touch?

I pretend

I'm asleep

why pretend?

If he thinks

I'm asleep

he won't touch

over much

he touches?

Touches me

tickles you?

Not always

but sometimes?

Della nods

eats her toast

her mother

looks at her

the wide mouth

the broad tongue

touches me

secret place

secret place?

Where abouts?

Della dips

the soldier

of sliced toast

in the yoke

of yellow

prods it down

and then out

and licks it

where abouts

does he touch?

Mother asks

secret place

Froggy says

mustn't tell

where abouts

Loadingdoes he touch?

Froggy said

cousin's can

where abouts

did he touch?

Mother asks

once again

Della stares

at her plate

of boiled egg

and sliced toast

thinking of

Froggy's touch

and promise

she had made

not to blab

(Froggy's word)

about it

the secret

touching place

it's nowhere

Della says

dreamed of it

in my sleep

are you sure?

Mother asks

Della nods

and dips toast

in the yoke

of the egg

thinking on

Froggy's touch

up her leg.