UNREQUITED LOVE
He was a youth of doubtful age
Not more than forty, one would guess,
But wise as many an older sage
And faultless in his dress.
Not more than forty, one would guess,
But wise as many an older sage
And faultless in his dress.
His hat was of the latest height
And hue, such as the dove might own,
The path by which he took his flight
Was smoky with cologne.
And hue, such as the dove might own,
The path by which he took his flight
Was smoky with cologne.
And oh! the fragrant cheap cigars,
'Twould take a Tennyson to dwell
(In words that journey to the stars)
On his aesthetic sense of smell.
'Twould take a Tennyson to dwell
(In words that journey to the stars)
On his aesthetic sense of smell.
Where'er he went a loud perfume
Swept like a thunder-cloud behind
And oh! the fragrance of his room
Fit symbol of his state of mind.
Swept like a thunder-cloud behind
And oh! the fragrance of his room
Fit symbol of his state of mind.
For as the poet says, he was
A love-sick swain, that common bird
Whose sweetest note amid the buzz
Of daily life is often heard.
A love-sick swain, that common bird
Whose sweetest note amid the buzz
Of daily life is often heard.
Poor Unrequited Love, his sweets
Were lost upon the desert air,
His girl was tired of candy treats
Or for cologne she didn't care.
Were lost upon the desert air,
His girl was tired of candy treats
Or for cologne she didn't care.
For sigh as loudly as he might
And smile as sweetly as he could
She kept discreetly out of sight
Or passed him speechless where he stood.
And smile as sweetly as he could
She kept discreetly out of sight
Or passed him speechless where he stood.
[ 71 ]
