Life, 1914-05-07 · page 11 of 52
Life — May 7, 1914 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces: **"Blindness"** (dialogue): A satirical conversation between a couple where the woman repeatedly asks her partner to explain his love in detail, but he cannot articulate specific reasons—only that he loves her. The joke critiques the inadequacy of romantic language and male emotional expression. **"Berlitz Unterwegs"** (poem by Reginald Wright Kaufman): A satirical poem about a train journey through Germany where the narrator picks up German language and culture while traveling with a woman. It mocks both language-learning tourism and romantic encounters abroad. **Decorative header and footer**: Whimsical illustrations of cherubs/cupids frame the "LIFE" title and "SOME MORE OF US" section—typical period design elements for a romantic/social commentary issue. The overarching theme concerns love, communication, and human connection.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Blindness Every way. But I have. 2: Oh, my darling— over again, He: I fove you! Sue: But how? quite think—but—I love you. you feel? you, What more can I say? fully unsatisfactory. me to, it wouldn't be love. IF THE APPAREL ALWAYS PROCLAIMED THE MAN Berlitz Unterwegs 'HE ride was dull to Mannheim, With a man on either hand: They talked to me in German— I couldn’t understand; But there they rose and left me For the sombre station's din, And the carriage-door was opened, And, Gretchen, you came in! Your eyes were brown as Autumn, Your hair was black as night, ° Your smile was April sunshine That set the coach alight; It taught by inspiration: An envelope I tore And pinned, when you had entered, Serboten on the door. Thus in a third-class carriage I cornered Germany ; From Mannheim down to Mihlheim You shared a seat with me And chattered with such gesture Of hand and play of eye I almost comprehended While Schwarzwald hills slipped by. T learned the names of objects We passed upon the way: Was not “to harvest” ernten? Was not ba Seu “the hay"? I made mine while the sun shone On Mihtheim’s Bahnhof when You rose to go: your lips were near— I mastered German then! Reginald Wright Kauffman. SOME MORE OF US Tell me all about it. Tell me all over again. How much do you love me? Tell _me all the ways you know. Besides, you may have missed something. And I like to hear it all He: Why, for the moment I can't Sue: But can’t you tell me how He: Oh, I feel, I feel—why, I love Sue: Oh, dear, it seems so dread- He: Never mind. If I could tell you about it in just the way you want comicbooks.com