MADAM LIFE'S A PIECE IN BLOOM - Ernest Miller Hemingway Poems

 
 

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MADAM LIFE'S A PIECE IN BLOOM

Largo e mesto

   Madam Life's a piece in bloom
     Death goes dogging everywhere:
She's the tenant of the room,
     He's the ruffian on the stair.

   You shall see her as a friend,
You shall bilk him once or twice;
   But he'll trap you in the end,
And he'll stick you for her price.

With his kneebones at your chest,
    And his knuckles in your throat,
You would reason -- plead -- protest!
   Clutching at her petticoat;

   But she's heard it all before,
Well she knows you've had your fun,
    Gingerly she gains the door,
And your little job is done.