To a Lady

“To a Lady” by Dorothy Parker was originally published in The Saturday Evening Post on October 14, 1922.

Lady, pretty lady, delicate and sweet,
Timorous as April, frolicsome as May,

Many are the hearts that lie beneath your feet
As they go a-dancing down the sunlit way.

Lady, pretty lady, blithe as trilling birds,
Shy as early sunbeams play your sudden smile.

How you quaintly prattle lilting baby words,
Fluttering your helpless little hands the while!

Lady, pretty lady, bright your eyes and blue,
Who could be a-counting all the hearts they broke?

Not a man you meet that doesn’t fall for you;
Lady, pretty lady, how I hope you choke!