Sometimes they pause, and push a window up To feel the blunt, dry buffet of the heat Strike in the face and hear the locust-cry Of shrilling newsboy-voices down the street, “News from the army⁠—extra⁠—ter‑ble battle⁠— Terr‑r‑ble vic’try⁠—ter‑r‑ble defeat⁠— Lee’s army trapped invading Maryland⁠— McClellan⁠—Sharpsburg⁠—fightin’⁠—news from the front⁠—” The women at the windows sigh and wonder “I ought to buy a paper⁠—No, I’ll wait Till Tom gets home⁠—I wonder if it’s true⁠— Terrible victory⁠—terrible defeat⁠— They’re always saying that⁠—when Tom gets home He’ll have some news⁠—I wonder if the army⁠— No, it’s too hot to buy a paper now⁠—”

A hot, spare day of waiting languidly For contradictory bits of dubious news.