The hippodrome was vast and cold, A princely prize was to be won; The people came in gaping crowds To wager on the walkathon. @3Tap, tap, I hear the shabby slippers that she wore, With the shuffle, shuffle, of my canvas brogues, Around, around, the floor.@1 Jane was thin and waxy white, Limp as a plucked anemone, But oh, my thoughts were far away -- A living flame was Rosalie! I walked with Jane -- we walked and walked, Through endless days and weary nights; When her heart would stop, I bade it go, For I spoke of love and soft delights. @3Tap, tap, I hear the shabby slippers that she wore, With the shuffle, shuffle, of my canvas brogues, Around, around, the floor.@1 I would not see her waxen cheeks And when she faltered in her stride, I shouldered her like a bundle of bones, Dreaming of Rosalie for my bride. False love I whispered into her ears False kisses I pressed on her darkened eyes, She walked till glaring lights grew dim, And only fell when we claimed the prize. @3Tap, tap, I hear the shabby slippers that she wore, With the shuffle, shuffle of my canvas brogues, Around, around the floor.@1 Oh, Rosalie is a living flame, But my heart is a hollow cave, Resounding to the endless tread Of tired feet within a grave! @3Tap, tap, forever tap, the shabby slippers that she wore, With the shuffle, shuffle of my canvas brogues, Around, around, around, around, Around, around the floor.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD'S BEING by HAYDEN CARRUTH TO W.E.B. DUBOIS - SCHOLAR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON IN A SWEDISH GRAVEYARD by EMMA LAZARUS SURFACES AND MASKS; 3 by CLARENCE MAJOR SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ELIZABETH CHILDERS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |