William Carlos Williams. Time the Hangman. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

Time the Hangman

By William Carlos Williams


From “Broken Windows” POOR old Abner, poor old white-haired nigger!
I remember when you were so strong
You hung yourself by a rope round the neck
In Doc Hollister’s barn to prove you could beat
The faker in the circus—and it didn’t choke you.	5
Now your face is in your hands, and your elbows
Are on your knees, and you are silent and broken.