I recently had the pleasure of being introduced to Dorothy Parker through a private collection that is being put up for sale. Parker (1893 – 1967) came to fame in the 1920s writing book reviews, poetry, and short fiction for The New Yorker. She is known for her sharp wit and had previously worked for Vogue and Vanity Fair. Dorothy Parker along with Robert Benchley and Robert Sherwood formed the Algonquin Round Table, which went on to include members such as Harold Ross, Harpo Marx, and Edna Ferber. The group took its name from its meeting place, The Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan, and was known for its sharp-tongued banter. Later, Parker went on to pursue screenwriting in Hollywood, and was personally active in Civil Rights.
Here are just a few examples of her poetry:
NEWS ITEM
Men seldom make passes
At girls who wear glasses
OBSERVATION
If I don’t drive around the park,
I’m pretty sure to make my mark.
If I’m in bed each night by ten,
I may get back my looks again.
If I abstain from fun and such,
I’ll probably amount to much;
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.
THOUGHT FOR A SUNSHINY MORNING
It costs me never a stab nor squirm
To tread by chance upon a worm.
“Aha, my little dear,” I say,
“Your clan will pay me back one day.”
Resources: Wikipedia and biography.com
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