CHART SWEEP! No. 12, 1969

CHART SWEEP! No. 11, 1968

The River

Make a papyrus basket for me, mother--
Coat it with tar and pitch.
For there are murderers about,
And at every turn a snitch.

Put me in the basket, mother--
Give me a little kiss.
You know it's what you have to do--
let go my tiny wrists.

Carry me to the river, mother--
To the fat and swollen Nile.
Pray when last you see me,
You'll see me with a smile.

Set me on the water, mother--
Among the looming reeds.
The river's long and you seem so scared,
But I'll follow where it leads.

Turn and don't look back, my mother--
Learn not to think of me.
Your sacrifice will spread your love
to the ends of every sea.

You won't know me when it happens, mother--
And I won't know who you'll be.
But I'll come back to lead our house
Out of this misery.