The Uninfected

THREE POEMS

THE UNINFECTED

I saw a man whose face was white as snow

Come slowly down the mall,

And he was followed by another one

Till there were seven in all.

Now this is very strange that lepers be

Allowed to walk abroad in broad daylight.

I shook myself, and quickly turned to call

A bluecoat, and as suddenly caught sight

Of one in blue ruling the thoroughfare

Who made me passage through that brawling sea

With one raised hand. I spoke, and he inclined

To hear my word, the face of leprosy.

I turned and went straight on to search my own

Face in the next shop window mirror-glass-

Still no infection, not a single spot,

So I stood there and watched the lepers pass

Till four drove up to take me to a place

Where I live now, attended very well

By several strong male lepers dressed in white-

Eating what I like, sound as a bell.