English poem
Straw in the Street
by Amy Levy (1861–1889)
Straw in the street where I pass to-day Dulls the sound of the wheels and feet. ’Tis for a failing life they lay Straw in the street.
Here, where the pulses of London beat, Someone strives with the Presence grey; Ah, is it victory or defeat?
The hurrying people go their way, Pause and jostle and pass and greet; For life, for death, are they treading, say, Straw in the street?