My dears, if you a man would know, If you would all his traits descry; Don't wait until he's yours in tow -- Look at his tie. A knot tight-tied refers to purse, A sombre hue betrays the mind; A man is like his scarf -- or worse, You'll always find. If it is gay, then gay is he, If spotted -- spotted is his past; If it is fragile, he will be Too good to last. The crooked streak you must eschew, Scotch plaids and weaves in coarser grain; From duotone and curlicue You must refrain. Above all else, you may not yield (He is a monster to be feared) To him who wears his tie concealed Behind his beard. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...APPELLATE JURISDICTION by MARIANNE MOORE L. OF G.'S PURPORT by WALT WHITMAN ON A PRESSED FLOWER IN MY CPOY OF KEATS by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE CORYDON'S SUPPLICATION TO PHILLIS by NICHOLAS BRETON THE HEART O' THE WOODS by JOHN BURROUGHS TO A YOUNG LADY, WHOSE BIRD WAS NEARLY KILLED by NATHANIEL COTTON |