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From “Dry Points”
YOU that but seek your modest rolls and coffee, | |
| When you have passed the bar, and have saluted | |
| Its watchful madam, then pray enter softly | |
| The inner chamber, even as one who treads | |
| The haunts of mating birds, and watch discreetly | 5 |
| Over your paper’s edge. There in the corner, | |
| Obscure, ensconced behind the uncovered table, | |
| A man and woman keep their silent tryst. | |
| Outside the morning floods the pavement sweetly; | |
| Yonder aloft a maid throws back the shutters; | 10 |
| The hucksters utter modulated cries | |
| As wistful as some old pathetic ballad. | |
| Within the brooding lovers, unaware, | |
| Sit quiet hand in hand, or in low whispers | |
| Communicate a more articulate love. | 15 |
| Sometimes she plays with strings and, gently leaning | |
| Against his shoulder, shows him childish tricks. | |
| She has not touched the glass of milk before her, | |
| Her breakfast and the price of their admittance. | |
| She has a look devoted and confiding | 20 |
| And might be pretty were not life so hard. | |
| But he, gaunt as his rusty bicycle | |
| That stands against the table, and with features | |
| So drawn and stark, has only futile strength. | |
| The love they cherish in this stolen meeting | 25 |
| Through all the day that follows makes her sweeter, | |
| And him perhaps it only leaves more bitter. | |
| But you that have not love at all, old men | |
| That warm your fingers by this fire, discreetly | |
| Play out your morning game of dominoes. | 30 |
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