The rays of merciless summer sun Pierce blind drawn over an open window. Shreds of wallpaper hang like down-drawn Accusing fingers on tenement walls. Shrill screams from ragged children. Dodging traffic for thrown ball, Fill the torpid air with urgent energy. In the hot gloom of a room a woman sits Heavy with misery.
Slow tears mingle with sour sweat Over slack jawed, empty-eyed face.
Amid disordered rumple of corner bed lies, Sodden in stench of drink, a man Who clutches a cudgel used in drunken rage Of the shrinking acceptance on the body Of the woman with slum's tolerance Of sorrow, brutal and frequent. How dear to my heart are the memories of yesteryear. Those gone now still live as if they were near. The house in the valley in that small town. Stands yet, its white turned gray and still down That bucket in the well, waiting for a pull, To pull up waters drunk in dippers full.