Sweet Briars of the Stairways

A poem by Vachel Lindsay

We are happy all the time
Even when we fight:
Sweet briars of the stairways,
Gay fairies of the grime;
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT.

"Our feet are in the gutters,
Our eyes are sore with dust,
But still our eyes are bright.
The wide street roars and mutters -
We know it works because it must -
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT!

"Dirt is everlasting. - We never, never fear it.
Toil is never ceasing. - We will play until we near it.
Tears are never ending. - When once real tears have come;

"When we see our people as they are -
Our fathers - broken, dumb -
Our mothers - broken, dumb -
The weariest of women and of men;
Ah - then our eyes will lose their light -
Then we will never play again -
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT."