The Halo (Gannett)

"Think what a price to pay, Faces so bright and gay, Just for a hat!

Flowers unvisited, mornings unsung, Sea-ranges bare of the wings that o'erswung Bared just for that!

"Think of the others, too, Others and mothers, too, Bright-Eyes in hat!

Hear you no mother-groan floating in air, Hear you no little moan birdling's despair Somewhere, for that?

"Caught 'mid some mother-work, Torn by a hunter Turk, Just for your hat!

Plenty of Mother-heart yet in the world ! All the more wings to tear, carefully twirled Women want that!

"Oh, but the shame of it, Oh, but the blame of it. Price of a hat!

Just for a jauntiness brightening the street! This is your halo, O faces so sweet Death ; and for that!"