it strikes like a snake

in the deep river no small dangers wait
so those who give their time will say enough
cease any measure in plain human stuff

the child records his words on a cracked slate
and will recoil if teachers are too gruff
in the deep river no small dangers wait

the voice of reason always seems to grate
upon the ones who say they are the tough
but do not think injustice a rebuff
in the deep river no small dangers wait