The Complete Poems of Dorothy Parker

by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, master of the short story, dramatist, screenwriter, and sharp-tongued critic, was also an accomplished poet. At the center of the famed Round Table at New York's Algonquin Hotel, Parker distinguished herself among a circle of urbane literati with her excoriating quips and wonderfully realized epigrammatic poems. By the time her first collection of poems, Enough Rope, was published in 1926, she had been dubbed the "wittiest woman in America".Confronting the hard facts of existence facing a woman of talent and boldness in the 1920s and '30s, Parker's poems depict a world haunted by unrequited love, alcohol, razor blades, and men of overbearing will. Her poetry earned much admiration from critics such as Odgen Nash, Somerset Maugham, and Edmund Wilson, who hailed it as "flatly brutal as the wit of the age of Pope". Complete Poems collects Parker's three volumes of poetry, Enough Rope, Sunset Gun, and Death and Taxes, as well as a hundred other previously uncollected works -- such as the "hate songs", compact satiric descriptions of husbands and wives, actors and politicians, bores and ne'er-do-wells, and others who attracted her barbed pen.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction, American, 20th Century, The United States Of America, Womens

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet and critic best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.

Reviews

[Steven Godin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilacs blossom just as sweet
Now my heart is shattered.
if I bowled it down the street,
who's to say it mattered.
If there's one thing that rode away
What would I be missing?
Lips that taste of tears, they say,
are the best for kissing.

Eyes that watch the morning star
seem a little brighter;
Arms held out to darkness are
Usually whiter.
Shall I bar the the strolling guest,
bind my brow with willow,
when, they say, the empty breast
is the softer pillow?

That a heart falls tinkling down,
never think it ceases.
Every likely lad in town
gathers up the pieces.
If there's one gone whistling by
would I let it grieve me?
Let him wonder if I lie;
let him half believe me.

[Lena K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dorothy Parker, I have found my sarcastic-soulmate!

Her poems are full of wit, sarcasm, but also cynicism, hopeless romanticism, self-pity, self-love. Everything! her poems have everything in them. She’s one of those poets that actually touched my heart with her words. She conveys her feelings masterfully through her poems. Some are funny, some are heart-wrenching. She can do both!

‘Symptom Recital’ is one of her most raw and exposed poems. We all had periods of time when we didn’t like ourselves. She conveys this feeling so brilliantly here! I actually got her, I could feel those feelings with her while reading:

I do not like my state of mind;
I'm bitter, querulous, unkind.
I hate my legs, I hate my hands,
I do not yearn for lovelier lands.
I dread the dawn's recurrent light;
I hate to go to bed at night.
I snoot at simple, earnest folk.
I cannot take the gentlest joke.
I find no peace in paint or type.
My world is but a lot of tripe.
I'm disillusioned, empty-breasted.
For what I think, I'd be arrested.
I am not sick, I am not well.
My quondam dreams are shot to hell.
My soul is crushed, my spirit sore;
I do not like me any more.
I cavil, quarrel, grumble, grouse.
I ponder on the narrow house.
I shudder at the thought of me…
I'm due to fall in love again.

‘Threnody’ was another brilliant poem by her, my favorite part of it:

Lilacs blossom just as sweet
Now my heart is shattered.
If I bowled it down the street,
Who’s to say it mattered?
If there’s one that rode away
What would I be missing?
Lips that taste of tears, they say,
Are the best for kissing.

‘The Second Oldest Story’ is amazing as well, here’s my favorite part:

Go I must along my ways
Though my heart be ragged,
Dripping bitter through the days,
Festering, and jagged.
Smile I must at every twinge,
Kiss, to time its throbbing;
He that tears a heart to fringe
Hates the noise of sobbing.

Alongside her romanticism, she expresses her cynicism as well, as can been seen in another favorite of mine:

‘Somebody’s Song’

This is what I vow;
He shall have my heart to keep,
Sweetly will we stir and sleep,
All the years, as now.
Swift the measured sands may run;
Love like this is never done;
He and I are welded one:
This is what I vow.

This is what I pray:
Keep him by me tenderly;
Keep him sweet in pride of me,
Ever and a day;
Keep me from the old distress;
Let me, for our happiness,
Be the one to love the less:
This is what I pray.

This is what I know:
Lovers' oaths are thin as rain;
Love's a harbinger of pain-
Would it were not so!
Ever is my heart a-thirst,
Ever is my love accurst;
He is neither last nor first:
This is what I know.

She also has some pretty witty poems, such as this one:

‘Observation’

If I don't drive around the park,
I'm pretty sure to make my mark.
If I'm in bed each night by ten,
I may get back my looks again,
If I abstain from fun and such,
I'll probably amount to much,
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.

There were many, many more poems that I liked, most notable are these: ‘Love song’, ‘Indian Summer’, ‘One Perfect Rose’, ‘Unfortunate Coincidence’, ‘A Very Short Song’, ‘Resume’, ‘Distance’, ‘Incurable’, ‘Interior’, ‘Rainy Night’, ‘Recurrence’, ‘Sanctuary’, ‘Song in a Minor Key’, ‘Surprise’, ‘Temps Perdu’, ‘The Choice’, ‘The Last Question’, ‘Wisdom’.

I would definitely read and re-read her poems again and again. She’s officially my favorite!

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the entire book, I still contend this is the best poem Dorothy Parker wrote:

Résumé

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

Also, I found the uncollected poems far more entertaining than her formal, published books of poetry. She has a series of "Hate Hymns" that are scathingly funny: Women, Men, Actresses, Relatives, Slackers, Bohemians, the Office, Actors, Bores, The Drama, Parties, Movies, The Younger Set, Summer Resorts, Reformers, Wives, Husbands, College Boys - and even Books!

This was a gift from a friend that will keep on giving - especially when I need some lighthearted reading.

[Patrick Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coda
Dorothy Parker

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 struggle, 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?

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly one of the best poetry books I have ever read. Parker's verse is tremendous: amusing but also bitter, flippant and yet poignant, astute and yet fresh. The majority of poems in this large collection are excellent, sometimes charming, often cynical, very quotable, and they address the human condition (though in a way that seems light). While reading this volume, there were only a few occasions when I began to tire of the repetition of theme (or rather variations on a theme) as, for instance, in the 'hymns of hate' poems (there were just too many of these). But minor quibbles aside, I am very pleased to have finally discovered the work of Dorothy Parker.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ballsy and is considered socialist, while I like her poems I think Dorothy Parker isn't that great of a poet. But that doesn't stop them from getting published. Sometimes it's who you hang around with, and she definitely weren't lacking in company. Entertainment Poetry, one step up from rhyme but shh because they might throw (someone else's) limb at you........... Pretty cover.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker’s wit is as fresh and funny as the day she wrote it. The Collected Poetry includes poems from 4 collections spanning 1926-1936, my favorite being Enough Rope. Her poems, mostly about the woes of life, being suicidal, in love out of love, frustrated by herself and by men, are snappy and offer quick-minded wit. Occasionally she sounds like a broken record, and a bit shallow but her style is so sassy, of the time but still current and still easy to relate to. She gets down on herself, feels empowered about being herself, then gets down on herself again for not being something she isn’t. It’s a constant struggle that young women face and I think reading her work offers a bit of solace and a good laugh for those facing similar struggles.

There are some real winners in this book, but some poems do fall short. Observation, Resume, On Being a Woman, and Bric-A-Brac were a few of my favorites. Overall a fun read and I’m glad to have her work in my back pocket for a change of pace. 4/5 stars.

[Flo]

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 struggle, 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?

Funny.

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

oy. this book had totally been tripping me up. i read the introduction, and i was impressed with the poetry quoted, which was familiar to me from when i read a bit of dorothy parker poetry as a teen. the author of the introduction kept saying that parker was a feminist prodigy & how great the poetry was in speaking to things that affected women & how awesome she was. and then i started reading the poems, and they were overwhelmingly about how love sucks and it makes her want to kill herself. maybe women did not write about that before 1920, making her a visionary? i don't know. but combined with the fact that almost 100% of the poems in enough rope, sunset gun, and death and taxes were sing-songy rhyming poems, i just couldn't take it. i did that thing i do where i feel obligated to finish a book and keep hoping that it will get better but i'm really not digging it and so instead of ditching the book, i start reading a whole bunch of other books. upon reaching the "acceptance" stage, i created a did-not-finish shelf on goodreads.

and then today, giving it one more chance, i found a non-rhyming poem at the end of death and taxes that i really liked. now, don't get me wrong, i like her rhyming poems and i find them some of her wittiest, most cutting material. but jesus, rhyme after rhyme, i just cannot handle it. the uncollected poems section, which i guess she wrote for various magazines, is pretty good so far. i'm glad i stuck with the book, but i wish it wasn't so painful.

i will try not to feel guilty about starting to skim when she starts talking about how the rain comforts her wretched, wounded heart. but i'm going to try to finish it, because i really love some of her poems, and it has *just* enough merit for me.

my favorites were "Of A Woman, Dead Young", the turning point of the book for me, and also "Poem in the American Manner", a cutting, surprisingly relevant commentary on the ignorance-is-bliss state of mind many of today's SuperPatriots espouse.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing woman! She was so ahead of her time. She seemed to have suffered so much but was courageous enough to share her pain through laughter and her work. Imagine a white woman of her time leaving everything to MLK. Amazing! This was a good sampling of her poems they seem to get better as she gets older. I just wish that this book contained some of her short stories. My students enjoyed and connected with the poems so well worth the read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her sharp wit is dulled by the fact that she's a bitch.

[Bookish Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I was just a little Jewish girl trying to be cute.”—Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker was probably one of the sharpest, wittiest women of the 20th century. She wrote everything from screenplays to short stories to literary criticism for Enough Ropepublications like Vanity Fair, Vogue, Life, and the New Yorker. But as April draws to a close, I want to concentrate on Dorothy Parker’s poetry.

Parker sold her first poem to Vanity Fair in 1914. Even after she honed her writing talents on other projects, she never stopped writing poems. She published several tomes of her poetry, and I was fortunate to find a couple books featuring her poems at my local library, Enough Rope and The Collected Poetry of Dorothy Parker. Even though most of these poems were written nearly a century ago, they still hold up today and are relatable to modern audiences. Collected poetry DP

Like so many ladies, Parker was often bewildered when it came to romance and relationships. And she summed up this bewilderment in this brief and perfectly stated poem:

Unfortunate Coincidence

By the time you swear you’re his
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying—
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.

Only a few short lines, but says so much. Unfortunate Coincidence is both timeless and timely. In fact, while reading Parker’s poetry I couldn’t help think how well she would have done on social media, using Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to post her poems to a global audience.

Among her other love-based poetry, I also love the following pieces of perfectly posed pithy poems:

General Review of the Sex Situation

Woman wants monogamy;
Man delights in novelty.
Love is woman’s moon and sun;
Man has other forms of fun.
Woman lives but in her lord;
Count to ten, and man is bored.
With this gist and sum of it,
What earthly good can come of it?

Pictures in the Smoke
Oh, gallant was the first love, and glittering and fine;
The second love was water, in a clear white cup;
The love was his, and the fourth was mine;
And after that, I always get them mixed up.

Men

They hail you as their morning star
Because you are the way you are.
If you return the sentiment,
They’ll try to make your different;
And once they have you, safe and sound,
They’ll want to change you all around.
Your moods and woods they put a cure on;
They’d make of you another person.
They cannot let you go your gait;
They influence and educate.
They’d alter all that they admired.
They make me sick, they make me tired.

And the following poem reminds me of past suitors who always treated my writing as a “cute little hobby.” Somehow my feelings are more artfully stated in Parker’s poem Fighting Words than a profane response like, “Fuck you.”

Fighting Words
Say my love is easy had
Say I’m bitten raw with pride,
Say I’m too often sad—
Still behold me at your side.

Say I’m neither brave nor young,
Say I woo and coddle care,
Say the devil touched my tongue,—
Still you have my heart to wear.

But say my verses do not scan,
And I get me another man!

And then there are a lady’s platonic relationships, and she had a poem aimed at “frenemies” long before Carrie Bradshaw and Co. came up with the concept.

The Leal

The friends I made have slipped and strayed,
And who’s the one that cares?
A trifling lot and best forgot—
And that’s my tale and, and theirs.

Then if my friendships break and bend,
There’s little need to cry T
he while I know that every foe
Is faithful till I die.

And what about America’s preoccupation with self-reflection and self-help? Why, yes. Parker wrote a poem those things, too.

Inventory
Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and foe.

Four be the things I’d been better without:
Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.

Three be the things I shall have till I die:
Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.

But eventually the concepts of love, friendship, the power of written verses, and a maddening fixation with oneself grows tiresome. What else is there? Why, fashion, of course! And Parker knew the charms fabulous frock.

The Satin Dress

Needle, needle, dip and dart,
Thrusting up and down,
Where’s the man could ease a heart
Like a satin gown?

See the stitches curve and crawl
Round the cunning seams—
Patterns thin and sweet and small
As a lady’s dreams.

Wantons go in bright brocade;
Brides in organdie;
Gingham’s for the plighted maid;
Satin’s for the free!

Wool’s to line a miser’s chest;
Crepe’s to calm the old;
Velvet hides an empty breast
Satin’s for the bold!

Lawn is for a bishop’s yoke;
Linen’s for a nun;
Satin is for wiser folk—
Would the dress were done!

Satin glows in candlelight—
Satin’s for the proud!
They will say who watch at night,
“What a fine shroud!”

Sadly, Parker’s finely-honed wit and vast writing talent thinly veiled her struggles with depression, drinking, divorce, not to mention career woes and a lack of self-esteem, which made her very dismissive of both her talents and accomplishments. Yet, somehow she was able to find a humor in the gallows, and commented suicidal thoughts in one of her most notable poems, Résumé.

Résumé
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren’t lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.

Dorothy Parker died nearly forgotten in 1967, but became legendary and an icon to anybody who appreciates salty good humor with mad writing skills. She is a true icon and inspiration to ladies of letters, including this one. Of Parker’s work The Nation described it as “caked with a salty humor, rough with splinters of disillusion, and tarred with a bright black authenticity”. Dorothy Parker, you were so much more than a “little Jewish girl trying to be cute.” You are a heroine to every girl and women who bravely picked up pen and paper and put thoughts into words.

Originally published at The Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...

[Po Po · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both ends of the spectrum. Some really fantastic poems, and some really horrid ones.

I could've done without the poems based purely on hate , which she very accurately calls "hymns of hate." There is a (hateful) poem on: (1) husbands (2) men (3) wives (4) women (5) actors (6) actresses (7) bohemians (8) summer resorts and (9) books. This list is in no way all-inclusive. There are other hate poems on other topics as well. Too much bitterness and hate. (Have I used the word "hate" enough? How about one more? HATE!) And coming from someone who enjoys a good dose of negativity and pessimism, this is saying a lot.

I did, however, enjoy the poems that exposed the sad reality of the social mores of her time, such as the inferior status conferred upon women.

[Tracy Towley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd never read anything by Dorothy Parker before, and it turns out that I don't feel I've missed much. I'm not into a concentrated rhyme scheme, and she clearly is. All of her poems were about being suicidal and/or in love. While I, sadly, can relate to both of those lately, I found her poetry to be quite shallow.

There were a few that stuck out for me though. For example :

Observation
If I don't drive around the park,
I'm pretty sure to make my mark.
If I'm in bed each night by ten,
I may get back my looks again.
If I abstain from fun and such,
I'll probably amount to much;
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never actually finish this book, I’ve had it for years and I like to dip into it regularly.

Both funny and sad, she reminds me in her style often of poems from my childhood. Not childish poems, but rather in their cadence, those of great poets chosen for children to learn to recite and that in itself is perfection to me.

It’s such a pity this is no longer a thing in primary school. I still remember all the words to some Burns and Blake!

[Archie Hamerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as scathing, bitter and witty as you would expect; in places it is truly upsetting to see a woman so plagued by her own mortality and futility, in other places it is comforting, with its sing song rhyme and humour

[Iulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such great fun! She makes it seem so much easier than it actually is, with her sharp, witty light verse.

Not a single poem was a dud but some certainly stood out:

“Epitaph”
“One Perfect Rose”
“Interior”
“Penelope”
“Fair Weather”
“Temps Perdu”

Also her hate songs & hymns were pretty perfect!

[Jovana Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fucking legend. That's it.

[Tomas Wdski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love me a sharp line and an good rhyme

[Z Ritter · Rating 3 out of 5]

very witty

[Dyfan Dyfans Dyfanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. It's difficult to rate a collection of poems. Some I loved and some I didn't. She was a very talented poet, that's for sure!

[KateJoanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely made book and collection, interesting and fun to read. I was familiar with a fair few of these but this is the first poetry collection I’ve read from Dorothy Parker. I wouldn’t say that I loved every poem, but it was a good read— these are very playful and sarcastic, exploring various styles and rhythm in the most effortless way. A little dark at times but for the most part pure sass and humour, essentially a brilliantly written middle finger to her ex’s

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. In the introduction to this book, by Colleen Breese, Thomas Masson's views on Parker are referenced. Masson explains that Parker's writing was a "method of self-defense," to cope with a world that she "didn't like." I can certainly see this -- Parker is filled with so much wit, and promise and potential, but also so much cynicism and despair. She did try to kill herself several times throughout her life, and suicide is a subject she deals with in her "light verse":

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

Here Parker deals with some autobiographical elements and uses her wit and humor it seems to create a shield. She does this with love, writing and many other things as well. Forever cynical and disillusioned with it all.

For me, Parker's poems are a very quick and easy read (may Dorothy Parker forgive me -- her lack of merit as a writer was something that caused her considerable grief); but if you read 15-20 of them you've read them all, insomuch as she revisits the same themes and overuses the same poetic forms. Her use of wordplay is fun at first -- "[A] Freud in need is a Freud indeed,/We'll be always Jung together" -- but soon becomes redundant. This wearing out of themes and forms is especially true of her unpublished poems, and namely her "Hymns of Hate." She uses humor to express a "hate" toward women, men, actors, actresses, books, parties, you name it. It was cute at first, but soon became tiresome. The same could be said of much of her poetry.

The collection I found most worthwhile was "Enough Rope," a collection of poems first published in 1926. Otherwise, I find Parker to be a fun read, but not one that I feel offers much to gain.

[Shadow Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finis


Now it's over, and now it's done;
Why does everything look the same?
Just as bright, the unheeding sun,-
Can't it see that the parting came?
People hurry and work and swear,
Laugh and grumble and die and wed,
Ponder what they will eat and wear,-
Don't they know that our love is dead?


Just as busy, the crowded street;
Cars and wagons go rolling on,
Children chuckle, and lovers meet,-
Don't they know our love is gone?
No one pauses to pay a tear;
None walks slow, for the love that's through,-
I might mention, my recent dear,
I've reverted to normal, too.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

If these poems are anything to judge by, I would say Dorothy Parker did not have a very happy love life. Generally, reading someone's moanings about the hypnotic power of dissatisfactory men would be tiresome after a while, but that was not the case with these poems. Her wit was so finely tuned, so razor sharp so that these poems were a joy to read, even when they had heavy subject matters.

Here's one of her poems that almost made me laugh out loud:

Fighting Words

Say my love is easy had,
Say I'm bitten raw with pride,
Say I am too often sad-
Still behold me at your side.

Say I'm neither brave nor young,
Say I woo and coddle care,
Say the devil touched my tongue-
Still you have my heart to wear.

But say my verses do not scan,
And I get me another man!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While, Dorothy Parker can be harsh at times, and wrote in the 11920's, she was a very acomplished woman. She was a great writer, and her poetry is very true, though sad at times.
She sees the truth, and although sometimes the truth can be hard at times, it is the truth, and it must be said.
Her poetry explores the world of death, love, and life. It touches upon issues run so deep into our countries veins that we don't even see them as problems anymore.
This is a great collection written by a great author, who is really more of a tremendous artist.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a great friend who said that her poetry "suited me." It seems he was correct. Although I find rhyming poetry to be a bit tedious, this was an exception. My only complaint would be of course the melodramatic subject matter of most of the poems: heartbreak, unrequited love, the usual. HOWEVER, this being said, Parker attacks these themes with such unusual and astonishing wit that they are dee-lightful to read. She should replace Sylvia Plath as the poster child for female teenage angst.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for every girl over 15 (and, I venture to suggest) for every man over 30.

I borrowed this from my father one day, and after reading it, decided I must positively have my own copy!

Parker's work is cool, occasionally snarky, often pessimistic, and usually, delightfully sarcastic. She says oh-so-well what is only a jumbled morass in my brain.

My personal favorite -- (Alas, alack, how can I choose? And so you get three) --

One Perfect Rose
Fighting Words
Neither Bloody nor Bowed

[Melissa Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, Love, Love, Love this collection of poetry! Adore and the story how I stumbled upon it is awesome. Will post tomorrow and it's really special to me after reading by Ellen Meister

An absolute gem!!