William Stafford




“Shall we have that singing…”

Shall we have that singing in the evening?
For between the stars and our star there is no one.
And we must sleep again.
We rest the hands, not dangerous, on the wool.
And we place pillows under the turning head.

Quietly now, no moving,
Was there something forgotten?

(The losing one neglects and calls it winning.)
Help each other.
Have that singing in the evening.