I should have seen the sign: "Fresh paint," But useless to advise The careless soul, and memory's stained With cheeks, calves, hands, lips, eyes. More than all failure, all success, I loved you, for your skill In whitening the yellowed world As white cosmetics will. Listen, my dark, my friend: by God, All will grow white somehow, Whiter than madness or lamp shades Or bandage on a brow. |