Overheard In An Asylum

by Alfred Kreymborg

"And here we have another case
quite different from the last,
another case quite different --
Listen."

"Baby, drink.
The war is over.
Mother's breasts
are round with milk.

"Baby, rest.
The war is over.
Only pigs
slop over so.

"Baby, sleep.
The war is over.
Daddy's come
with a German coin.

"Baby, dream.
The war is over.
You'll be a soldier
too."

"Yes, we gave her the doll --
Now there we have another case
quite different from --"