Word to the Wise

Little lady never pray A ring of gold to wear Lest you find it in your nose - Much to your despair!

Results

I have never asked for much From this world's anointed: Strange to say from day to day I've not been disappointed!

Why?

The lady 'neath the smallest hat Is often very short and fat; While "slivers", slick and very tall Wear cartwheels, like a parasol!

Aspiration

I'd like to be a critic But one who didn't write Then, when I gouged their eyes out They couldn't turn and bite!

Island Parting (Muskoka)

How hard it is to say "good-by" to an Island, Rising tall, with its trees out of clear water Tawny in the shallows.

Here, white birches bare their shining bones To summer moonlight; And one blue heron lifts himself with terrible beauty Into the evening.

I cannot say why Islands do this to me.

I only know that putting out into the open gap Bound for the Mainland Is like loosing hands with one you love Too much!

Photogenic

It must be nice to be photogenic; To not have to get in to a panic When you "see the birdie".

To just sit there . . . smug . . .

While they snap your mug.

And to know you'll look like Garbo . . . or Hedy Lamarr In the finished photo.

Not . . . Mr. Moto!

Salad Bar

There's nothing sadder in this world Than stale stuffed celery, over-curled!

In The Swim

O to be a Petty gal Now that summer's here, With thigh and breast and tawny crest And slick and stream-lined "rear"

To lounge against the gilded sands As in a billboard ad While some Adonis, thick of neck, A great athletic cad Leans over one with tender sigh And whispers soft and low "The Company who made your suit Designed these trunks, you know"!

Adversary

She stuck her little hat pin in And gave a practiced twist.

The only thing that saves my pride On someone with a tougher hide She'll break her little wrist!

Traitor

You said my face Was like a mask A little white unstirred expanse Where no emotion came to dance.

You said my eyes were secret eyes That wore a mocking shy disguise.

You said, "No matter how you try Your mouth betrays you, by and by?"

Sheepskin

An education used to be A thing of strict gentility With Cla.s.sics solid as a rock And stresses laid on culture talk.

Now . . . when he graduates - a man Must just make money with elan!