Renunciation
Chloe’s hair, no doubt, was brighter;
Lydia’s mouth more sweetly sad;
Hebe’s arms were rather whiter;
Languorous-lidded Helen had
Eyes more blue than e’er the sky was;
Lalage’s was subtler stuff;
Still, you used to think that I was
Fair enough.
Now you’re casting yearning glances
At the pale Penelope;
Cutting in on Claudia’s dances;
Taking Iris out to tea.
Iole you find warm-hearted;
Zoë’s cheek is far from rough—
Don’t you think it’s time we parted? . . .
Fair enough!
Credit
From Enough Rope (Boni & Liveright, 1926) by Dorothy Parker. This poem is in the public domain.
Date Published
01/01/1926