Week 5, An Old Poem That's New To Me

I listen to every day's version of "A Writer's Almanac" podcast (I just upload it from I-Tunes) when I'm alone in my car, driving to and from work. Aside from some interesting facts about writers, literary history and books, on each day's recording, Garrison Keillor reads aloud a poem. This week, he read one which, because its by Dorothy Parker, must be very old but one I'd never heard before but fell in love with. So, here it is, I think you'll like it too. Its about something we can all relate to.

Inscription for the Ceiling of a Bedroom

Daily dawns another day;

I must up, to make my way.

Though I dress and drink and eat,

Move my fingers and my feet,

Learn a little, here and there,

Weep and laugh and sweat and swear,

Hear a song, or watch a stage,

Leave some words upon a page,

Claim a foe, or hail a friend-

Bed awaits me at the end.

Though I go in pride and strength,

I'll come back to bed at length.

Though I walk in blinded woe,

Back to bed I'm bound to go.

High my heart, or bowed my head,

All my days but lead to bed.

Up, and out, and on; and then

Ever back to bed again,

Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall-

I'm a fool to rise at all!

Dorothy Parker

(She's the one who said, "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.")