Songs Not Encumbered by Reticence

To a Favorite Granddaughter

Never love a simple lad;
Guard against the wise;
Shun a timid youth, and sad;
Hide from haunted eyes.

Never hold your heart in pain
For an evil-doer;
Never flip it down the lane
To a gifted wooer.

Never love a loving son;
Nor a sheep astray;
Gather up your skirts and run
From a wistful way.

Never give away a tear;
Never toss and pine…
Should you heed my words, my dear,
You’re no blood of mine!

Healed

Oh, when I threw my heart away
The year was at its fall.
I saw my dear, the other day,
Beside a flowering wall.
And this was all I had to say:
“I thought that he was tall!”

Superfluous Advice

Should they whisper false of you,
Never trouble to deny;
Should the words they speak be true,
Weep and storm and swear they lie.

Afternoon

When I am old and comforted
And done with this desire,
With Memory to share my bed,
And Peace to share my fire.

I’ll fold my hair in scalloped bands
Beneath my laundered cap;
And watch my cool and fragile hands
Lie light upon my lap.

And I will wear a spriggéd gown
With lace to kiss my throat.
I’ll draw my curtains to the town, A
nd him a purring note.

And I’ll forget the way of tears,
And rock, and stir my tea.
But oh, I wish those blesséd years
Were further than they be!

Swan Song

First you are hot,
Then you are cold;
And the best you have got
Is the fact you’re old.
Labor and hoard,
Worry and wed;
And the biggest reward
Is to die in bed.
A long time to sweat,
A little while to shiver
Is all you will get—
Where’s the nearest river?

Dorothy Parker