I do not say this is without faults. With the substance I have, naturally, nothing to do. But as regards form, which of your scribblers of cosmic bathos and “uplift stuff” could more cunningly weave _pipe_, _ice_, _life_, _strike_, and _time_ into a stanza that has half as much swing and verve, as this? Note also the absence of adjectives. In short, here is poetry with a “punch” to it. My last example is the most ambitious of all. I present it exactly as it was written without comment. It appeared in _The North American Review_: _Univernish_ Compared with old-method varnishes, it is convenience and certainty. It means one finishing varnish for the job, instead of two or three. It does away with the extra cans and the extra cleanings of brushes. It avoids mistakes and accidents. It is safe and sure and fool-proof. Compared with other new-method varnishes, it is a vital improvement. It is the new-method varnish which does not thicken in the can nor clog the painter’s brush. It remains a clear, pure liquid. It is easy working and free-flowing. It requires vastly less labor. It gives a smooth, clean finish which is especially beautiful and durable. We think we are quite conservative in saying that it saves twenty per cent of the finishing cost. Gentlemen of the poets’ profession, be ashamed of yourselves! How can you expect to find readers by lazily sticking to your antiquated formulas, when even the advertisement writers in the very magazines you do your work for, are getting quite up-to-date? Extreme Unction MARY ALDIS CHARACTERS: A DYING PROSTITUTE A SOCIETY LADY A SALVATION ARMY LASSIE A DOCTOR A NURSE SCENE: The screened space around a high narrow bed in a Hospital ward. Record-card hanging above. The Screens have antiseptic white sheets over them. When the curtain rises the nurse is straightening and tucking in with uncomfortable tightness the white counterpane of the bed. On the bed, with eyes closed, lies what is left of a girl of 18 or 20. The nurse takes the thermometer from the girl’s mouth, looks at it, shakes her head and makes a record note on the chart. She gives the girl water to drink and leaves her with a final pull to straighten the bed clothes. The girl tosses restlessly—moans a little and impatiently kicks at and pulls the bed clothes out at the foot, exclaiming “God, I wish they’d lemme ’lone!” (The Lady enters)