Carl Sandburg




Trafficker

Among the shadows where two streets cross,	
A woman lurks in the dark and waits	
To move on when a policeman heaves in view.	
Smiling a broken smile from a face	
Painted over haggard bones and desperate eyes,	     
All night she offers passers-by what they will	
Of her beauty wasted, body faded, claims gone,	
And no takers.