| ALL they said was true: | |
| I wrecked my father’s bank with my loans | |
| To dabble in wheat; but this was true— | |
| I was buying wheat for him as well, | |
| Who couldn’t margin the deal in his name | 5 |
| Because of his church relationship. | |
| And while George Reece was serving his term | |
| I chased the will-o’-the-wisp of women, | |
| And the mockery of wine in New York. | |
| It’s deathly to sicken of wine and women | 10 |
| When nothing else is left in life. | |
| But suppose your head is gray, and bowed | |
| On a table covered with acrid stubs | |
| Of cigarettes and empty glasses, | |
| And a knock is heard, and you know it’s the knock | 15 |
| So long drowned out by popping corks | |
| And the pea-cock screams of demireps— | |
| And you look up, and there’s your Theft, | |
| Who waited until your head was gray, | |
| And your heart skipped beats to say to you: | 20 |
| The game is ended. I’ve called for you, | |
| Go out on Broadway and be run over, | |
| They’ll ship you back to Spoon River. | |
