| Acquaintance; companion; |
| One dear brilliant woman; |
| The best-endowed, the elect, |
| All by their youth undone, |
| All, all, by that inhuman |
| Bitter glory wrecked. |
| But I have straightened out |
| Ruin, wreck and wrack; |
| I toiled long years and at length |
| Came to so deep a thought |
| I can summon back |
| All their wholesome strength. |
| What images are these |
| That turn dull-eyed away, |
| Or shift Time’s filthy load, |
| Straighten aged knees, |
| Hesitate or stay? |
| What heads shake or nod? |
| August 1931 |