Page:Poetry, a magazine of verse, Volume 2 (April-September 1913).djvu/24

POETRY: A Magazine of Verse Ruffle the skirts of prudes,
 * speak of their knees and ankles.

But, above all, go to practical people—
 * go! jangle their door-bells!

Say that you do no work
 * and that you will live forever.

O smooth ﬂatterers, go over sea,
 * go to my country;

Tell her she is "Mighty among the nations"—
 * do it rhetorically!

Say there are no oppressions, Say it is a time of peace, Say that labor is pleasant, Say there are no oppressions, Speak of the American virtues:
 * And you will not lack your reward.

Say that the keepers of shops pay a fair wage to the women: Say that all men are honest and desirous of good above all things:
 * You will not lack your reward.