Spring in the Shops / Bert Leston Taylor

Spring in the Shops

In the manner of Ezra Pound 

Will people accept them? (i.e. these bargains)
O dainty colorings and range of prices!
Gowns of charmeuse in all the colors of the season;
Blouse suits of Russian cloth, tucked belt of softest satin,
And only $37.50.

Beautiful but inexpensive hats (values unprecedented).
Lovely French flowers combined
With handsome ribbon or numidi, roses, lilacs, wistaria, in beautiful colorings.

And petticoats, in crepe de chine and chiffon.
The petticoat oddly cut and gored,
That holds its fullness just below the knee,
And yet puffs out above,
Giving the new and fashionable outline.
Soft petticoats of sheerest voile, opened on side with clasps, in straight effect,
Silk jersey tucked and plaited ruffle, with underlay of same,
Special at $1.95.

~~
Bert Leston Taylor (1866-1921)
from Motley Measures, 1913

[Poem is in the public domain in Canada, the United States, and the European Union]

Bert Leston Taylor biography