A Portrait Poem by Dorothy Parker
A Portrait
Because my love is quick to come and go-
A little here, and then a little there-
What use are any words of mine to swear
My heart is stubborn, and my spirit slow
Of weathering the drip and drive of woe?
What is my oath, when you have but to bare
My little, easy loves; and I can dare
Only to shrug, and answer, "They are so"?
You do not know how heavy a heart it is
That hangs about my neck- a clumsy stone
Cut with a birth, a death, a bridal-day.
Each time I love, I find it still my own,
Who take it, now to that lad, now to this,
Seeking to give the wretched thing away.
Love can be a burden when it is heavy on the heart from the wear and tear it goes through from loving every now and then.
Love is quick to come and go. Dorothy Parker's deep and intense poem portraying a stubborn heart seeking to give the wretched thing away.
Was not overly moved by the first stanza, but the work comes into its own with the power of the imagery of the second stanza. Fascinating visual of the heart as a stone whose facets are cut by the experiences of life. The last few lines raise this piece into the realm of the memorable.
What use are any words of mine to swear My heart is stubborn, and my spirit slow- beautifully written poem -voted 10
I would give this a 10 rating but the voting booth appears closed...again. Sigh. Dorothy sounds a bit in need of encouragement today
Gee, this is about as mellow as Dorothy Parker gets! Her acerbic tongue is half sheathed. I like her- she has a certain style with which she serves her bitters.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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1/26/2025 9:35:46 PM # 1.0.0
What a powerful, sad poem.