A Tale Told at Bedtime

Grady McMurtry

30 December 1943

There is a city—with domes and pylons

A City of light—and many colored

And once when I was very small

I came nigh onto this City

Yes, up the spiral stairs - like any outsider

But I was curiously at home.

Yes, it was like coming home

And I started walking towards this City

Across a plain that was black as night

And under a dome that was also black

But though the plain stretched on to infinity

it seemed

Yet it was like being in a closed room

For there were no stars—it was very strange

So I walked quickly, very quickly

But before I came to this City I met a Something

It was like a white flame

All pulsing and alive

But as I didn't know what it was I challenged it

And it turned all kinds of angry colors and buzzed

Yes, he buzzed—as if annoyed

So I protected myself and he went away someplace

But that made me stop and think

I wasn't afraid 3/4 but I wasn't sure of myself either

Who knows what strange Somethings might be in

that City?

I didn't—and maybe there were those

Who would only laugh at my simple protection

Because to them it might be useless— who knows?

I didn't—

So I turned around 3/4 and I walked to the stairs

No—I didn't run—I walked

But very quickly—as I always seem to do in

that strange place

And I slid down the banisters

And I walked down the ramp and around to the big

Gate

That is set in the Wall

And I came through and closed the Gate

And sealed it up tight 3/4 real tight.

But some day I'm going back to the City

Or Someplace— — —

But when I do I am going to know what I am doing

And because I will know what I am doing

I'll go right on in— or anyplace else I want

to go to

But first I've so much to learn

And so little time to do it in

And I never have any time to myself anymore

But I will—someday.

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