Classic Poem

Two narrow files of houses scowl,
Blackened with grime, on either side
Of the road, and through them prowl.

Strange men and women, shifty-eyed
And slinking. The drink-shop throws
A flaring yellow, light adown.

The pavement. The gutter flows
A turbid evil stream. A clown,
Drink-sodden, lurches by and sings.

Obscenely. A woman trails behind,
With old bad eyes. Her clothing clings
Rain-soaked about her. No daring wind,

Light-hearted, from a garden blows
The sweetness here of any rose.