SHEEP DIPPING
All the people
with their sheep and goats
and horses and wagons
and children and dogs
go to the dipping.
There is much dust and work
and singing and eating
at dipping time.
I like it.
Sheep do not like dipping.
They do not like to take a bath
in the medicine-water
even though it is good for them.
When grandfather goat gets dipped
he is angry, very angry.
He does not like
to get his whiskers wet.
Tomorrow, first thing,
I will tell old goat, old goat,
that in ten days
Washington will
wash his whiskers.
My father talks of other things
besides the dipping.
His voice goes on and on
like wind in trees,
like water running,
like soft rain falling,
like drum beats pounding,
talk,
talk,
talking.
