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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ESSENCE by DOROTHY BURNHAM EATON

First Line: WHY DO LITTLE BOYS' POCKETS
Last Line: ARE DUSTY WITH GOLDEN SAND.
Subject(s): TOYS;

Why do little boys' pockets
With all of their contraband
Always hold in the bottom-most fold
A fingernail of sand?

Sand with the other treasures --
An essence with tangles of toys --
Seems a bit of substantial grit
That's part of all little boys.

Boys with wings of young wisdom
Find moths in their self-spun berth,
And seek the root of stalk and fruit
Full length on the hard, warm earth.

Or press inquisitive noses
To clovery timothy land . . .
Pigeonholes of little boys' souls
Are dusty with golden sand.



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