"I've never been a millionaire but I just know I'd be darling at it."
-Dorothy Parker
As a writer, in general, I have many influences & heroes. As a poet & lyricist, I have only a few, Dorothy Parker being primary among them. She was romantic & spry, devilish & sad all at once, and, boy, could she turn a phrase. Her rhymes are as catchy as any of todays best pop songs, but with bite. In honor of "Dotty", for no other reason than I feel like it, here's one of my faves...
"Epitaph for a Darling Lady"
All her hours were yellow sands,
Blown in foolish whorls and tassels;
Slipping warmly through her hands;
Patted into little castles.
Shiny day on shiny day
Tumbled in a rainbow clutter,
As she flipped them all away,
Sent them spinning down the gutter.
Leave for her a red young rose,
Go your way, and save your pity;
She is happy, for she knows
That her dust is very pretty.
1 comment:
That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I guess Mrs. Parker just acquired a new fan. She is brilliant.
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