Poem by Dorothy Parker

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!

1. I Shall Come Back
2. Verse Reporting Late Arrival at a Conclusion
3. The White Lady
4. Social Note
5. Testament

Emily Dickinson Renunciation ("There came a day at summer's full")

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