"That ground.
The one where sinners walk,
and shameless whores talk.
Oh, where's the little lamplighter?
Scrappy clothes, swift hands.
Movements. Quick and sure."
By far, THE BEST lines in the entire poem. I think the introductory stanza maybe needs a bit more kick in it to keep up with those lines, as well. And the last stanza kind of turns a lot more general, and I think it takes away from the "lamplighter" that you're speaking of.
The one where sinners walk,
and shameless whores talk.
Oh, where's the little lamplighter?
Scrappy clothes, swift hands.
Movements. Quick and sure."
By far, THE BEST lines in the entire poem. I think the introductory stanza maybe needs a bit more kick in it to keep up with those lines, as well. And the last stanza kind of turns a lot more general, and I think it takes away from the "lamplighter" that you're speaking of.
But that's just me. Really, remarkable poem.