STREETS

I have seen streets where strange enchantment broods:

Old ruddy houses where the morning shone

In seemly quiet on their tranquil moods,

Across the sills white curtains outward blown.

Their marble steps were scoured as white as bone

Where scrubbing housemaids toiled on wounded knee —

And yet, among all streets that I have known

These placid byways give least peace to me.

In such a house, where green light shining through

( From some back garden ) framed her silhouette

I saw a girl, heard music blithely sung.

She stood there laughing, in a dress of blue,

And as I went on, slowly, there I met

An old, old woman, who had once been young.