Gargoyle 19
cover photos by Richard Peabody (2) and Brian Sheridan
publication date 2/8/1982

The Gonif's Daughter

David Sheridan

a.m. Rotterdamp-
After
sweeping sawdust (three guilders an hour)
visiting Bessie (nine guilders an hour)
   Bessie with Eve’s nice thatch
   Bessie who teases:
Keep holy the sabbath
Keep holy the sausage"
and burgling a burgher’s haus und hof of
raisin-cinnamon buns
a tin of chocolate powder and
one butterfly (danaus plexipuss), velvet-mounted
He returns home.
In his arms, she’s ambrosial:
What’s my old Poppy
Brought his lizard?"