A Note Left In Jimmy Leonards Shack

 Near the dry river's water-mark we found
 Your brother Minnegan,
Flopped like a fish against the muddy ground.

Beany, the kid whose yellow hair turns green,
Told me to find you, even if the rain,
 And tell you he was drowned.


I hid behind the chassis on the bank,
 The wreck of someone's Ford:
I was afraid to come and wake you drunk:
You told me once the waking up was hard,
The daylight beating at you like a board.

 Blood in my stomach sank.


Beside, you told him never to go out
 Along the river-side
Drinking and singing, clattering about.

You might have thrown a rock at me and cried
I was to blame, I let him fall in the road
 And pitch down on his side.


Well, I'll get hell enough when I get home
 For coming up this far,
Leaving the note, and running as I came.

I'll go and tell my father where you are.

You'd better go find Minnegan before
 Policemen hear and come.


Beany went home, and I got sick and ran,
 You old son of a bitch.

You better hurry down to Minnegan;
He's drunk or dying now, I don't know which,
Rolled in the roots and garbage like a fish,
 The poor old man.

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