Grace Paley (11 December 1922 – 22 August 2007 / Bronx, New York)

One day lying on my stomach in the afternoon trying to sleep

I suffered penis envy (much to

my surprise


and with no belief in Freud for years

in fact extreme

antipathy) what could I do but turn around


and close my eyes and dream of summer

in those days I

was a boy I whistled

at the gate for Tom.


Then I woke up

then I slept

and dreamed another dream


in my drowned father's empty pocket

there were nine dollars and the salty sea

he said I know you my darling girl

you're the one that's me