Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PORTRAITS, by JOSEPH KLING


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PORTRAITS, by                    
First Line: When my friend don juan
Last Line: The business of life. ....
Subject(s): Love; Marriage; Women; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


I.

When my friend Don Juan
Has left his last love
He becomes gravely philosophic...
Wonders why a man
Cannot help making love
To every pretty woman
That crosses his path. ....
Berates himself harshly
For his wicked misdeeds,
Praises the virtues
Of honest married folk,
A happy home, loving wife,—
But reminds himself suddenly
Of a "pressing engagement";
Adjusts his cravat,
Smiles,
And departs. ....

II.

Sweet half-conscous hypocrite,
Golden-haired, apple-cheeked,
Plaything of flattery,
Woman of women;
Grudgingly envious,
Hintingly slanderous,
Flirtingly philanderous;
To be young,
To be tempting,
To be tempting
Without yielding,—
The business of life. ....





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