Cross Roads

II. THE RUE DE LA PAIX—(A STREET OF JEWELS)

     The windows glow with many jewels, with rubies
           fire-entangled,
        And glowing bits of emerald, and diamonds like
           the dew—
     But, Paris, can you quite forget the bodies lying
           mangled
        Beneath the snow on Flanders fields—your lost
           who call to you?).

     The windows of each little shop are gay with gem-
           like laughter,
        With rings to fit milady's hand, and drops to deck
           her ear;
     (But, Paris, can you quite forget Verdun, and Ypres,
           and—after?
        And, far beneath the sounds of mirth, one
           wonders what you hear.)

     The windows glow with countless jewels, the shop-
           girls stop to wonder,
        The little shopgirls who are still, so many, dressed
           in black—
     (But, oh, the saddened hearts of them no doubt are
           lying under
        Some sandy stretch along the Marne, where grim
           defeat turned back!)

     The windows gleam enticingly, and eyes light up to
           see them,
        For Paris thrills to loveliness, as Paris always
           thrilled—
     (Oh, God of beauty, touch the lives that war has
           crushed, and free them
        From broken dreams, an empty faith, and hopes
           forever stilled!)