Della holds
tightly in
her stubby

nail bitten
8 fingers
a buttered

slice of toast
taking bites
now and then

then dips it
in the boiled
egg yoke deep

her mother
watches her
Downs daughter

with those kind
Mongoloid
bright blue eyes

how'd you sleep?
My eyes closed
Della says

sleep all night?
Yes all night
did you dream?

Had nightmare
what about?
Froggy's touch

what about
Froggy's touch?
I pretend

I'm asleep
why pretend?
If he thinks

I'm asleep
he won't touch
over much

he touches?
Touches me
tickles you?

Not always
but sometimes?
Della nods

eats her toast
her mother
looks at her

the wide mouth
the broad tongue
touches me

secret place
secret place?
Where abouts?

Della dips
the soldier
of sliced toast

in the yoke
of yellow
prods it down

and then out
and licks it
where abouts

does he touch?
Mother asks
secret place

Froggy says
mustn't tell
where abouts

Loadingdoes he touch?
Froggy said
cousin's can

where abouts
did he touch?
Mother asks

once again
Della stares
at her plate

of boiled egg
and sliced toast
thinking of

Froggy's touch
and promise
she had made

not to blab
(Froggy's word)
about it

the secret
touching place
it's nowhere

Della says
dreamed of it
in my sleep

are you sure?
Mother asks
Della nods

and dips toast
in the yoke
of the egg

thinking on
Froggy's touch
up her leg.