Dorothy Parker

I recently did a poetry project (A+) about Dorothy Parker, my favorite poet. Everybody should check her out. She wrote rhyming poetry on the same subjects as I do, except hers are a million times better and are always funny or ironic or something. My favorites are "One Perfect Rose" and "Convalescent". In the project we also had to make several emulations of the poet's work, which I had a lot of fun with, so the following three are written in her style by me. The last one's a sonnet, by the way -- the first sonnet I've ever tried.

The Woman’s Story

You’ve spent the day with him again,

Young laughter dancing free;

He really seems to like it when

You gaze adoringly.

Afterward, he stops some belles

He obviously knows—

He turns to you, his smile tells;

His face, suddenly rose.

To Leave Me

Sure, that’s what I wanted.

That was silly, naïve me.

Sure, that’s what I felt.

It could only relieve me.

Sure, that’s what’s the best.

Couldn’t have him deceive me.

Sure, that’s what I said.

Why’d he have to believe me?

Blind Man’s Bluff

The lady’s eyes wide in her pleasant, proud face,

She looks up and tells me “It’s me that needs space.

He mentioned a break, and so I had him leave.

He’s gone far away and that’s good; he can grieve—

Should cry both his eyes out and scream at the sky,

Let the neighbors call ‘Crazy!’ when he passes by.

He’ll lose all his money, and scorn every maid,

And cry to the heavens he wished he had stayed.

He might tear all his hair out, but I’ll never care,

For I’m everyone’s favorite—never played solitaire.

I’ll be out half the day and stay out through the night,

And if he crawls back someday I won’t blink at his plight.”

She nodded and smiled but though she may try,

You, Lady, will never convincingly lie.