Partners

A poem by Ellis Parker Butler

Love took chambers on our street
Opposite to mine;
On his door he tacked a neat,
Clearly lettered sign.

Straightway grew his custom great,
For his sign read so:
“Hearts united while you wait.
Step in. Love and Co.”

Much I wondered who was “Co.”
In Love’s partnership;
Thought across the street I’d go,
Learn from Love’s own lip.

So I went; and since that day
Life is hard for me.
I was buncoed! (By the way,
“Co.” is Jealousy.)