Vachel Lindsay (Вэчел Линдсей)
Sweet Briars of the Stairways
We are happy all the time Even when we fight: Sweet briars of the stairways, Gay fairies of the grime; We, who are playing to-night. ”Our feet are in the gutters, Our eyes are sore with dust, But still our eyes are bright. The wide street roars and mutters — We know it works because it must — We, who are playing to-night! ”Dirt is everlasting. — We never, never fear it. Toil is never ceasing. — We will play until we near it. Tears are never ending. — When once real tears have come; ”When we see our people as they are — Our fathers — broken, dumb — Our mothers — broken, dumb — The weariest of women and of men; Ah — then our eyes will lose their light — Then we will never play again — We, who are playing to-night.”
Vachel Lindsay’s other poems:
- The Potatoes’ Dance
- I Heard Immanuel Singing
- When Gassy Thompson Struck It Rich
- The Tree of Laughing Bells
- Where Is David, the Next King of Israel?
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