Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PRETTY KITTY PICKERING by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON

First Line: WHAT A CURIOUS WORLD IS THIS
Last Line: PRETTY KITTY PICKERING.

WHAT a curious world is this --
Things we crave and things we miss!
All the men are dickering,
Half the women bickering,
Moth-wings caught within the wax keep the candles flickering.
Commerce and society
Bring the same satiety.
Love alone seems worth the while! ...
Yet upon how few may smile
Pretty Kitty Pickering.

What a curious world is this --
Living, dying, for a kiss!
Boys at lovers snickering,
Jilted men a-liquoring,
Every maid upon her hand longing for a thicker ring, --
Finding in distraction
Never satisfaction.
Yet to lose love were worth while
Had you known her winsome smile --
Pretty Kitty Pickering.



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