IN A STRANGE CITY

Dusk — and a hunger for your face

That grows, with brooding twilight, deeper,

While in this hushed and cheerless place,

The world lies, like a careless sleeper.

Oh for a brave, red wave of sound

To send Life flowing somehow through me;

Oh for the blatant, human round

To end these hours lone and gloomy.

At last — the friendly summer night,

And children's voices calling after.

Long avenues sing out with light;

Murmurs arise and bursts of laughter.

I hear the lisp of happy feet —

Life goes by like a rushing river —

A boy comes whistling up the street...

And I am lonelier than ever.