Thinking of France

The streets, ancient made modern,

Keeping, through it all, their ancient selves.

Ancient roads were there before,

Where true natives of the land did walk

And under time's insistent rule did change

Breaking their sties into gravel, then dust.

Curve do the streets,

Their curbs uneven, quaint, broken here and there.

Along the streets, houses,

Their iron fences top a concrete ledge,

Their iron gates show pa graveled yard with potted plants.

Their balconies shelter shuttered rooms, and

In the rooms upon expensive carpets

Expensive tables rest,

Hold the latest magazines, and

On ordered shelves books selected with a goal:

To tell of lives correct and well,

Proper, secular, modern,

Products of the best the ancient streets could do.

--November 25, 2013