Enough rope: poems

Copyright, 1926, by BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.
All Rights of Reproduction Reserved
First printing, December, 1926 Second printing, January, 1927 Third printing, February, 1927 Fourth printing, March, 1927 Fifth printing, April, 1927 Sixth printing, May, 1927 Seventh printing, July, 1927 Eighth printing, September, 1927 Ninth printing, October, 1927 Tenth printing, December, 1927 Eleventh printing, February, 1928 Twelfth printing, April, 1928 Thirteenth printing, July, 1928
The verses in this book were first printed in Life , Vanity Fair , The New Yorker , and The New York World .

Lilacs blossom just as sweet Now my heart is shattered. If I bowled it down the street, Who's to say it mattered? If there's one that rode away What would I be missing? Lips that taste of tears, they say, Are the best for kissing.
Eyes that watch the morning star Seem a little brighter; Arms held out to darkness are Usually whiter. Shall I bar the strolling guest, Bind my brow with willow, When, they say, the empty breast Is the softer pillow?
That a heart falls tinkling down, Never think it ceases. Every likely lad in town Gathers up the pieces. If there's one gone whistling by Would I let it grieve me? Let him wonder if I lie; Let him half believe me.

No more my little song comes back; And now of nights I lay My head on down, to watch the black And wait the unfailing gray.
Oh, sad are winter nights, and slow; And sad's a song that's dumb; And sad it is to lie and know Another dawn will come.