Danny Earl Simmons \ Winter 2015

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Repertoire

Tiny and tired, nestled against my chest, 
you cried in stubborn harmony 
to my Hush Little Baby. 

If that diamond ring turns brass 

Bounce-walking to the kitchen window, 
I could see the unmowed lawn; 
quietly you’d squirm. 

Daddy gonna buy you a looking glass 

In the hallway, I’d hum Twinkle, Twinkle, 
Little Star; the buzz from my chest 
steadied your breaths. 

Up above the world so high 

Meandering past the master bedroom, 
we could see her sleeping, 
barely covered. 

Like a diamond in the sky 

In the nursery, beside your crib, I'd coo 
The Rainbow Song, home-made 
and sung early. 

I wish to climb you and slide so far away. 
Rainbow, Rainbow, makes a happy day. 

This is all my fault. 

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Danny Earl Simmons is an Oregonian and a proud graduate of Corvallis High School. He is a friend
of the Linn-Benton Community College Poetry Club and enjoys community theater. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals such as The Pedestal Magazine, Little Patuxent Review, IthacaLit,
San Pedro River Review, and Off the Coast where he now assists as a member of the editorial staff.