The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-01-13
A LAUGH AT CASTE
By GEORGE A. TOWNS


I laugh, yes, l laugh loud and sometimes long
Those muddy brains, perceiving not
The Joke OF "houses Just as good across the tracks,
The separate waitingrOom beginning spick-and-span
But lapSIng grlmy soon from gross neglect.
And at my fellows, too, l often laugh
Who fumbling fail to feel, or see, the point,
Identical but separate" well concealed,
Obsequlous and fawning, comca for gain,
Suspecting not the petty prize they win
Is more badge of deep contempt
At school also elaborate equipped
In latest style, "The latest word
In building, fixtures, plant and all for YOU"
And then grin, that all this good revealed
lis thought my poor, slow wit could never find
Although the SNUG Concet is i'll concealed.
When on the train alone of all my kind, I sit,
The engines deafenng blow, it can not drown
The inward laugh [ raise at "NTain-Street" pride
That blooms but one brief day upon slender stem,
Kecltlng to hungry man with pocket full of cash.
The price and service just the same but late in turn"
And in the court of justice, often would 1 scream
When long and solemn face exacts an oath,
While finger under eye should pull it down in mockery
vi age-old Justice, deemed blind
| only laugh-what must the good God think
When Caste, the other god, makes sport
vi such affairs of men? I can but laugh
That two mllenums, not yet, have purged
The holy place where men bow blandly first
" I1C great SOu, Taste, ana then, like tools
In antl-cl1maX say to one of darker hue
NOW take your turn, the self same way
The selt-same place, but later
Just see the crowd of men so busy in the mart
They eye my coin and wish it much
Loo dull to see, the more | earn the more thew get
That drawing cord to make for me shallow purse
shuts out the gold from their own money bags:
| laugh loudly laugh at them,
Like men who seeking water in a pail
Pump with vigor over empty we'll
And when beloved Shakespeares role some would
Behold by mounting iron stairs preCarious outside.
And by compulsion more than preference
10 10 see the play and all its trappngs Gust as
Wen, L chuckle at the seller and the buver
And pity both deceiver and deceived
For there is nothing just as good, however old.
ihat bears the breed and faint of Caste
AS we'll proclaim that age-old leprosv
is Just as good as rich and ruddv blood
When danger omnous to State
Mhen proven valorous deeds must nominate
The best to stem the tide of molten steel
consuming as it sweeps DER brink of hell
linen al the shoulders bearing guns are brothers.
NO difference then-all are, fodder-like.
together rammed in cannon throat
But when, the fighting done
The victory won
A tete is made
10 celebrate the victory in parade
The Scared and dauntless heroes are forgot
A pseudo lapse of memory seen too plain
Who would not laugh at that?
So, just watch this funny game of life
With all its varied clowns in every field
Some merry some devout and some in strife
Who do not share the mirth they to me WELD
l laugh uproarious laugh at this vast comedy
With scenes too big for any stage,
A 4[!c, varied as the landscape from moving car,
With actors numerous and nationwide
Deceving and deceived
Now, if l see the game of life upset
BY men protesting still to play
IN In fairness under eye of solemn Judge
VINO Whom none can bride, and all the while,
with faces straight and brow intent
AS II to make confusion were the game
n say, be not joke to split you open wide
men laugh at me- say what you will
And by your judgment I'll abide.
emile Committee includingI
ter J %o 10 PWW Of Rising Trade Asso. Me-
unior Guardian of the Circle
party for the benefit of the The Trade Assooi4;