Tenement on Hester Street

Tenement on Hester Street,
Scarcely food enough to eat.
Scraps of coal her only heat.

“We fear God,” the old men said.
“And keep a cover on our head.”

Moil and sweat on Hester Street.
Fall asleep while on her feet.

“Married women: Wear a wig!
“No one ever eat a pig.” 

Coughing blood on Hester Street,
Tubercular beneath the sheet.

Passing time on Hester Street,
Never mixing milk and meat.