DON'T LET THEM DRINK ESPRESSO About a week ago when it was warm And the sun was shining bright I stayed up in my little room Until late the next night I just wanted to see If Whisperworkers ever sleep But it seems when they drink espresso They can stay up for a week So I thought it best to write Some things while I was there But behind my back I could feel The Whisperworkers' stare I know just what they're doing They saw I had my pen They'd wait till I started to write And started whispering again: "Over the fields of ponpunias In a valley of blue beyond blue The Snuckles are changing colors While Mellowdrones sing off cue" Then I shake my head and shake my pen But I can't help but listen again: "Along the banks of Bubgub river Twigglelarks will fly Telling knock-knock jokes to the trees As they flutter by" "And when the trees start laughing Dropping their special treat The Twigglelarks fill their bellies And fall asleep at their feet" It's still dark and I still feel The Whisperworkers's stare So I spin around in a flash But I see nothing there So again I take pen to write One page almost complete But suddenly again I hear An odd little peep: "You can catch a train out west Not far from Middletown And give a wave to Wetsneeze Who's always hanging 'round" "Or stop on in Rueben's place To get odd pairs of socks Or Otis's special store Of keys that have no locks" “Are you weary from scribbling Nognogs? Can we set the Barblenicks free? We know some new knock-knock jokes Would you make us more coffee?" Is it the air up here? Did I make a mistake? Haven't run out of ink Have I stayed up too late? Now past night and into the morning Sun peeks through the window Signs of espresso now wearing off Where'd the Whisperworkers go? So I stood up and stretched With a yawn that was shallow And thought to myself, next time! Hot chocolate with marshmellow