Gossip

Excerpt

Apple Orchard

White as popcorn, was the tree
And underneath it on the lea
A little goat looked up at me.

Bright and wicked was his glance
In that orchard's sweet expanse
In a mocking sort of dance
Moved his hooves.

He was Pan, and he was Spring
With a sudden saucy spring
Off he flew . . .
Just a shadow in the air . . .
Was he really ever there?

For all Ear-Pinners

There are some people
Who delight
In pinning people's ears
Back tight.
I'd love to be on hand
That day
When things work out
The other way!

To Snow … or Not to Snow!

Feather down soft deep snow
Feather down . . . I implore you.
The part of me that's Poet
Simply adores you!
The part of me that's "working girl"
Equally abhors you!
Snow is like thistledown
Filigree-ing trees:
But waiting for street cars . . .
It's wet ankles and
Knees!

Counsel

Heart, be very cautious now
Remember . . . once before
Love was like a bright room . . .
Then a slammed door!

In a Fit of Pique

If you have not learned to give proudly
Do not prate to me of "love"!
There are those, who as children
Clutch tight the bottom, of the candy-bag
Saying "Help yourself"
But making very sure
The gift is limited.
These children grow up to be
Stingy lovers.
I have no patience with them!

It Doesn't Matter

It doesn't matter much to me
About a person's family tree
Or what his special vices are
Or if he drives a custom car
Or if his Clubs are old and formal
As long as he is nice and normal!

Sherry

Sherry . . . twinkling in a little glass
Warm as snared sunlight
A pool of golden light
To make a flight of dreams.
(I can see your eyes
Twinkling back at the Sherry.
Merry as all "get out"!)
Even when I am a very ancient lady
And the decanter goes round
I shall remember you with a sweet shock . . .
I'll be bound!

Last of the Line

Ah, primitive and hardy
Our fathers were . . . of old . . .
But even on my brightest days
I can't quite shower . . . cold!

Teen Age

They talk of sooper dooper things
And wear each other's pins and rings.
They swim and dance and ski and smoke
And get a bang from lemon coke.

Play records . . . speak of Dizz and Duke
And dance wherever there's a Juke.
Chameleon-like, they change and vary
And suddenly grow up . . . and marry!

Top Toad

He always said:
"I'd rather be dead
Than be a small toad in a big puddle.
I like the huddle and power I have in a small town" . . .
Then, (with a black frown)
"I prefer to be a big toad in a little puddle"!
The only thing that struck you
As you watched his steam-roller tactics down his narrow road
He'd somehow . . . begun to resemble his own model . . .
The big toad!

War Weary

Some ladies love to sleep alone
In solitary state
Chaste . . . unruffled and serene:
This . . . I . . . hate!

Ice-Steria

Whenever it is "three below"
I wish myself in Mexico
Or dancing with a Hottentot
Or anywhere where I am not!

Aftermath

After holiday food
I feel so hell-ry
I long to subsist On tea and cel'ry!

Moot Question

Why is it
When the wind blows
I get a red nose
Some gals get all dewy-eyed
And fresh ....