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What's O'Clock in Poplar
The Settlement boys'-club shuts at 10 p.m.
Ten o'clock!
Prayers; and then the last Goodnight.
Out to Cut-Throat Lane, and climb
Up to High Street out of sight.
Footsteps fainter in the slime:
Skinny shoulder; panting lung;
Aching back - and yet, you're young...
Sleep, son, sleep.
Ten o'clock.
Twelve o'clock!
Through the twisted twigs a breeze
Whispers restlessly - " Oh yes!
Even in Poplar we have trees -
Vine and fig-tree, Miss, no less!
Not that they bear any fruit -
Couldn't, with that earth at root! "
Try to sleep, Worker!
Twelve o'clock.
Two o'clock.
Shunting, clashing, clanking train -
Hot behind the heaps of coal.
River, hissing under rain...
"River - in the stoker's hole
Have you anything for me -
Going desperate out to sea? "
Sleep, breaking heart!
Two o'clock.
Four o'clock.
On the pavement, to and fro,
Heavy boots. Night's work is done!
Bed for me...But heavier go
Men with days too swift begun,
Could I - 'mid your nursery-toys -
Wake you - "Listen to that noise? "
Sleep, childhood's heart!
Four o'clock!
Six o'clock.
I reluctant in my bed
Turn - "IT isn't time for Mass?"
Downy pillow - sleepy head -
Hark! the footsteps pass and pass!
Little Server - candles lit...
CHRIST, to Thee I offer it!
HOLD HIGH YOUR HEARTS!
Six o'clock.
