HE’D have given me rolling lands,
Houses of marble, and billowing farms,
Pearls, to trickle between my hands,
Smoldering rubies, to circle my arms.
You––you’d only a lilting song,
Only a melody, happy and high,
You were sudden and swift and strong,––
Never a thought for another had I.
He’d have given me laces rare,
Dresses that glimmered with frosty sheen,
Shining ribbons to wrap my hair,
Horses to draw me, as fine as a queen.
You––you’d only to whistle low,
Gaily I followed wherever you led.
I took you, and I let him go,––
Somebody ought to examine my head!
From Enough Rope (Boni & Liveright, 1926) by Dorothy Parker. This poem is in the public domain.