The things in life that share

A language are oftentimes

The best and worst.

The laughter singing from

Foreign sidewalks,

The jolly burst of mirth,

Is fuller of the human soul

And kindness overwhelming

All.

But on the other side of things,

In alleys ‘cross the way,

A somber song of shuddering

In tongues of flame above the head

Of alabaster dolls and a liaison of loss.