Page:Al Que Quiere.djvu/81

 She is attiring herself before me— Taking shape before me for worship, A red leaf that falls upon a stone! It is she of whom I told you, old Forgiveless, unreconcilable; That high wanderer of by-ways Walking imperious in beggary! At her throat is loose gold, a single chain From among many, on her bent fingers Are rings from which the stones are fallen, Her wrists wear a diminished state, her ankles Are bare! Toward the river! Is it she there?” And we swerved clamorously downward— “I will take my peace in her henceforth!”

BROADWAY It was then she struck—from behind, In mid air, as with the edge of a great wing! And instantly down the mists of my eyes There came crowds walking—men as visions With expressionless, animate faces; Empty men with shell-thin bodies Jostling close above the gutter, Hasting—nowhere! And then for the first time I really saw her, really scented the sweat Of her presence and—fell back sickened! Ominous, old, painted— With bright lips, and lewd Jew's eyes Her might strapped in by a corset To give her age youth, perfect