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:

  1. The Potatoes’ Dance
  2. I Heard Immanuel Singing
  3. When Gassy Thompson Struck It Rich
  4. The Tree of Laughing Bells
  5. Where Is David, the Next King of Israel?

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