LULLABY

By Roddy Lumsden

Between the rusted anchor and the resting place
between the rattler’s rattle and Its fangs
between the looming steeple and the steeplechase
between the skyscape and the boomerang
between the drowsy lovers and the living dead
A to L. my love, and M to Z.

Between the tomboy’s cartwheel and the carousel
between the crow’s nest and the sinking sun
between amanuensis and Emmanuelle
between the cherry-popper and The One
between reveille bugle and the watershed
A to L, my love, and M to Z.

Between the night-path clearer and the highwayman
between audition piece and curtain call
between the spring’s first orphan and the searing-pan
between ignition spark and wrecking ball
between the sleeping beauty and the slugabed
A to L, my love, and M to Z.