They flee from me who erstwhile
took my preachments     who
chewed my A's & B's & C's
(they could not always swallow)

Where are they now, that do not follow?

I laid my measured heart
Out on the front desk    for
them to taste & to dissect
(there was a question of respect)

Where are they now, that do not follow?

I patched their dreams & sewed
their dangling participle seams
with ink (red) and (lavender) thread
(to sing you need an ear, not lead)

Where are they now, that do not follow?

Folded in this urn of isinglass
I run thru scales of woe-alas,
I file my nails into my skull
& find    woe-alas    it's hollow.

O, where are they now, are they now,
they who do not follow?