Wistfully shimmering, shamelessly wise and weak,
He lives in pawn, pledging a battered name;
He loves his failures as one might love fame,
And listens for the ghost years as they speak.
A fragrance bright and broken clasps his head,
And wildwood airs sing a frayed interlude;
While cloaked he comes in a new attitude
To play gravedigger, if the word be said.

He swore he would be glad and only glad,
And turned to Broadway for the peace of God.
He found it in the bottom of the glass;
For where the dregs lay it seemed less than sad,
And 'mid the murmur when the dance was trod
He heard the echo of a genius pass.