My Virtual Reading Room

I have but this to say: the author did _not_ take her own advice!

Cat

Re'sume'

Acids stain you,
And rivers are damp.
Razors pain you,
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful,
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful:
You might as well live.

A Coda

There's little in taking or giving,
There's little in water or wine;
This living, this living, this living
Was never a project of mine.

Oh hard is the climb, and sparse is
The gain of the one at the top;
For art is a form of catharsis,
And love is a permanent flop,
And work is the province of cattle,
And rest's for a clam in a shell--

So I'm thinking of throwing the battle--
Would you kindly direct me to hell?

(Dorothy Parker)