It was in a drear city by a stream, And all its denizens were sad to me, -- I could not fathom what their life could be -- Their passage in the morning like a dream In the arc-light's unnatural bluish beam, Then back, at night, like drowned men from the sea, Up from the mills and river hurriedly, In weeds of labor, to the shriek of steam. Yet I supposed that they had all one hope With me (there is but one.) I would go out, When happier ones drew in for fear of doubt, Breasting their current, resolute to cope With what thoughts they compelled who thronged the street, Less to the sound of voices than of feet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...I LOOKED FOR LIFE AND DID A SHADOW SEE by JAMES GALVIN LITTLE BROTHER'S STORY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD THE BLACK MONKEY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD CELSUS AT HADRIAN'S VILLA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. CHARLES BLISS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TENNESSEE CLAFLIN SHOPE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE AWAKENING by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |