DOROTHY PARKER (POEMS)

Dorothy Parker Rothschild  (1893 - 1967)  was a master of the short story, dramatist, screenwriter, and sharp-tongued critic, but she was also an accomplished poet.

 

She represented one of the most vivid feminist and successful literary writers in women’s history.

 

She became known as one of the most brilliant writers from the early 1900s.

 

Her poetry earned the admiration of critics such as Odgen Nash, Somerset Maugham, and Edmund Wilson.

Dorothyparker

THRENODY

 

Lilacs blossom just as sweet

Now my heart is shattered.

If I bowled it down the street,

Who's to say it mattered?

If there's one that rode away

What would I be missing?

Lips that taste of tears, they say,

Are the best for kissing.

 

Eyes that watch the morning star

Seem a little brighter;

Arms held out to darkness are

Usually whiter.

Shall I bar the strolling guest,

Bind my brow with willow,

When, they say, the empty breast

Is the softer pillow?

 

That a heart falls tinkling down,

Never think it ceases.

Every likely lad in town

Gathers up the pieces.

If there's one gone whistling by

Would I let it grieve me?

Let him wonder if I lie;

Let him half believe me.

 

Published in 1926.   

LIGHT OF LOVE     

 

Joy stayed with me a night

Young and free and fair

And in the morning light

He left me there.

 

Then Sorrow came to stay,

And lay upon my breast

He walked with me in the day.

And knew me best.

 

I'll never be a bride,

Nor yet celibate,

So I'm living now with Pride

A cold bedmate.

 

He must not hear nor see,

Nor could he forgive

That Sorrow still visits me

Each day I live.

 

Published in 1926.

RESUME

 

Razors pain you;

Rivers are damp;

Acids stain you;

And drugs cause cramp.

Guns aren't lawful;

Nooses give;

Gas smells awful;

You might as well live.

 

Published in  1926.

 

As it may be a bit difficult for you to understand it, I decided to include a French translation of this poem.

 

 

Les rasoirs font mal;

Les rivières sont humides;

Les acides tachent;

Les médicaments donnent des crampes.

Les revolvers ne sont pas légaux;

Les nœuds coulants se défont;

Le gaz sent trop mauvais.

Autant continuer Ă  vivre..."