T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Rivals
By Archie Austin Coates (b. 1891)(From A Second Pagan Anthology, 1919) |
ALONG the Avenue of an afternoon, | |
| Lithe, slim youths | |
| Sauntering … | |
| Sleek of hair, and trim, and narrow of hip, | |
| With white, soft necks, and ties puffed out, | 5 |
| Beneath faces artfully made just a bit too beautiful | |
| And not quite manly. | |
| They stroll slowly, | |
| Shooting side-glances into passing faces, | |
| Meaningly. | 10 |
| At the corner | |
| A painted woman | |
| Shambles into a doorway … | |
| Her lips are of dry flame, | |
| And in her eyes are flames of hatred, | 15 |
| Hatred and scorn, bitter and inexpressible, | |
| For these slim youths, | |
| Her rivals. | |