Hark, the footfall of padded paws thud br As twilight wafts its melancholy tune br The traipsing of furtive mannequins into the scene br To start the commerce of the night br Ah, angels on hocked wings mingling in the shuffle br Of insatiable lusts of white, yellow and brown trash br br A nightlong stance of enticement and allure br No rest, nor ease through the cold and apathetic dark br No help, no solace from a sometimes provident night br Singles, pairs or even threes they hustle corners br In tatty glad-rags and blackened rouge they sell br Ersatz affection, snatches of bliss to blighted souls br br Heaven has no ears to hearken to piteous plaints br From cracked lips and blistered tongues br They push their trade until soles run raw br Waifs with scarred heels hide in scaly shadows br Oh, what lassitude shrouds the night air br In the blazing red light of a false sunrisebr br Eddie Roabr br