Inscription for the Ceiling of a Bedroom

Daily dawns another day;
I must up, to make my way.
Though I dress and drink and eat,
Move my fingers and my feet,
Learn a little, here and there,
Weep and laugh and sweat and swear,
Hear a song, or watch a stage,
Leave some words upon a page,
Claim a foe, or hail a friend-
Bed awaits me at the end.

Though I go in pride and strength,
I'll come back to bed at length.
Though I walk in blinded woe,
Back to bed I'm bound to go.
High my heart, or bowed my head,
All my days but lead to bed.
Up, and out, and on; and then
Ever back to bed again,
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall-
I'm a fool to rise at all!

More poems by Dorothy Parker

Song Of One Of The Girls

Here in my heart I am Helen; / I'm Aspasia and Hero, at least.

Dorothy Parker

Incurable

And if my heart be scarred and burned, / The safer, I, for all I learned;

Dorothy Parker

Requiescat

Tonight my love is sleeping cold / Where none may see and none shall pass.

Dorothy Parker

After Spanish Proverb

Oh, mercifullest one of all, / Oh, generous as dear,

Dorothy Parker

All poems by Dorothy Parker →