welcome me, for they have built their mansion and know it only awaits their coming; that joy and happiness are theirs — love, free from all malice, and beauty in every form.
They welcome me, because they have built their home on rock and it stands with door open to receive them, and they are not afraid, but rejoice.
“Others, however, fear me and refuse to look at me, saying, ‘You are ugly! Go away!’ And they shut their ears and refuse to be comforted.
They are afraid, for they have no mansion to which to go, but are homeless and feel that they are outcasts. Why? Not because of me, but because they have forgotten to prepare their mansion and so are homeless and beggars. They cling to worn-out trumpery, keeping much more from them than they possess.
Give up this mansion of yours and come and follow me to new fields which are filled to overflowing.”
Joe still stared too much overcome to reply, when from the chair by the tire a figure arose.
It was clad in soft clinging garments, with a veil which hid the face, and the voice was deep and harsh, with an undertone of sadness.
“Wait! Not yet can he give you his answer. He must choose between us.”
At this Joe turned his eyes toward the new speaker, and seemed to find once again the ability to speak.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Life!” the figure replied. “Life! With all its dreams, its passions, its joys. Life! which has given you all your pain and misery. Life! which has snatched from you all your youth, your joy, and given you only disillusionment!
Life! which promised you happiness, health, wealth, fame!
Life! which dances and sings and has no need for tomorrow. Will you stay with me? See! I hold out to you healing herbs that will bring forgetfulness and give you power to go on and achieve what you desire.
See! I offer you fame!
You shall be able to sit above others, — to cast them forth, to spit upon them. You shall be lord of the cities. Fairest women shall smile and caress you; men shall sue you for recognition. Will you stay?”
Joe made a motion of assent.
There was a moment’s stillness, then, with a laugh which froze his blood, Life said:
“Again I win, and your beauty and your gifts are spurned, Death! Again I win.”
Death smiled and said: “I am content. Show him your face!”
At this command the figure began to unwind from the head the drapery which had enveloped it, and Joe, with staring eyes, looked into a hollow shell, a skeleton!
Sleeping
Gangs
In suits of gray
Worked upon the highway
In a Southern State. Stones
Were their companions,
Coarse food
Their nourishment.
Cruelty
Met often with Greed
And Fear
Lived with Hatred,
When Love
Sought entrance
On a night
In June,
Trying
All the entrances
Unavailingly,
And tiring at last.
Kindness came
And whispering
In Love’s ear Said:
“Down the road
You will find open several houses.
Better go! I will watch here.”
Love
Gave thanks,
And with bounding steps
Went gayly to the Highway.
The sun
Was hot
And the stones were sharp,
But the time for rest was near,
And a little ripple
Was running along the highway, —
A tiny little wave
Of Joy.
Love
Seeing this,
Danced with glee
And began to sing:
“Come with me
Where the flowers bloom
And birds make music All the noon.
Sunshine Dances,
Girls give glances
To the moon.
Friends Take chances,
Gay their fancies, Come with me.”
Startled
Glances went down the line,
And Love swept on
To the end, Seeking
Entrance in each heart
And sending thrills
With delight,
Until
To each one
Passed the word
“Love is here!”
Backs
Grew straighter,
Faces
