The Black Christ & Other Poems/The Street Called Crooked
The Street Called Crooked
(Le Havre, August 1928)
BON soir, monsieur," they called to me; And, "Venez voir nos femmes.""Bon soir, mesdames," they got from me, And, "J'ai une meilleure dame."
"To meet strange lips and foreign eyes I did not cross the foam,I have a dearer, fairer prize Who waits for me at home."
"Her eyes are browner, lips more red Than any lady's light;'Twould grieve her heart and droop her head If I failed her tonight."
"Bon soir, mesdames,; que Dieu vous garde; And catch this coin I throw;The ways of life are bleak and hard, Ladies, I think you know."
A bright and crooked street it gleamed With light and laughter filled;All night the warm wine frothed and streamed While souls were stripped and killed.