The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POEM AND GESTURES

IN GRADE SCHOOL WE LEARNED THIS POEM FROM THE OTHER
CHILDREN ALONG WITH THE GESTURES:
THESE ARE MOTHER'S KNIVES AND FORKS--FINGERS EXTENDED
UPWARDS, HANDS BACKWARDS (BACK TO BACK)
THIS IS FATHER'S TABLE--FOLD HANDS AT KNUCKLES, TO FORM
A TABLE LIKE SURFACE.
THIS IS SISTER'S LOOKING GLASS--LIFT INDEX FINGERS AND HAVE
THEM TOUCH AT THE TIPS.
AND THIS IS BABY'S CRADLE--DO LIKEWISE WITH BABY FINGERS, ROCK
HANDS.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: NOT GIVEN