Along the Avenue of an afternoon, Lithe, slim youths Sauntering ... Sleek of hair, and trim, and narrow of hip, With white, soft necks, and ties puffed out, Beneath faces artfully made just a bit too beautiful And not quite manly. They stroll slowly, Shooting side-glances into passing faces, Meaningly. At the corner A painted woman Shambles into a doorway ... Her lips are of dry flame, And in her eyes are flames of hatred, Hatred and scorn, bitter and inexpressible, For these slim youths, Her rivals. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SUMMER EVENING'S MEDITATION by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD WINGED MAN by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE FOREST MAID by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE FALL OF HYPERION; A DREAM by JOHN KEATS THE WINDOW; OR, THE SONG OF THE WRENS: THE LETTER by ALFRED TENNYSON INDEPENDENCE DAY by ROYALL TYLER JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN |