Ghost-bereft With other stories and studies in verse: By Jane Barlow |
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OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP |
 | Ghost-bereft |  |
116
OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP
Beside the door they stand, anear the pane
Tricked with toy-wares. It is a dapple-grey
In smooth round wafers dight, and lifts alway
One prancing foot from grass-green board upta'en.
An urchin he, oft met down alley and lane,
Half lost in his wide old rags; agrin to-day,
Because he still with fearful joy dares lay
A stroking finger on that furry mane.
Tricked with toy-wares. It is a dapple-grey
In smooth round wafers dight, and lifts alway
One prancing foot from grass-green board upta'en.
An urchin he, oft met down alley and lane,
Half lost in his wide old rags; agrin to-day,
Because he still with fearful joy dares lay
A stroking finger on that furry mane.
He tastes his perilous pleasure like a bird
Of quick small feet and wary eye, that comes
To peck strewn fragments, flown at breath scarce heard.
You smile among the hedgerows. In the slums
You think: When flits this child-glee lightly stirred,
Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs?
Of quick small feet and wary eye, that comes
To peck strewn fragments, flown at breath scarce heard.
117
You think: When flits this child-glee lightly stirred,
Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs?
| Ghost-bereft | |