The poems of Dorothy Parker are copyrighted by Dorothy Parker (and now her estate, I suppose). No copyright infringement is intended; I post these purely because I love them. 'Inventory' can be found in 'Enough Rope', 'The Poetry and Short Stories of Dorothy Parker' and 'The Collected Dorothy Parker'; if you like what you read, I strongly suggest that you buy at least one of these books.
Inventory (by Dorothy Parker)
Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend and a 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.
Back to Dorothy Parker page
Back to main page