Poem by Dorothy Parker

The Trifler

Death's the lover that I'd be taking;
  Wild and fickle and fierce is he.
Small's his care if my heart be breaking--
  Gay young Death would have none of me.

Hear them clack of my haste to greet him!
  No one other my mouth had kissed.
I had dressed me in silk to meet him--
  False young Death would not hold the tryst.

Slow's the blood that was quick and stormy,
  Smooth and cold is the bridal bed;
I must wait till he whistles for me--
  Proud young Death would not turn his head.

I must wait till my breast is wilted,
  I must wait till my back is bowed,
I must rock in the corner, jilted,--
  Death went galloping down the road.

Gone's my heart with a trifling rover.
  Fine he was in the game he played--
Kissed, and promised, and threw me over,
  And rode away with a prettier maid.

1. The Small Hours
2. The False Friends
3. A Very Short Song
4. Threnody

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