Life, 1926-04-08 · page 13 of 52
Life — April 8, 1926 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents five poems by Dorothy Parker, a renowned wit and satirist of the 1920s-30s. Rather than political cartoons, these are literary pieces using Parker's characteristic sardonic humor about everyday life and relationships. The poems mock conventional sentiments: "Portrait of the Artist" satirizes romantic confinement; "Experience" cynically dismisses heartbreak; "Inscription for the Ceiling of a Bedroom" mocks daily tedium; "Unfortunate Coincidence" suggests infidelity; "Philosophy" questions life's purpose; and "Autobiography" reduces existence to material trivialities. The decorative woodcut illustrations frame the text thematically. The satire targets romantic idealism, social expectations, and existential pretense—Parker's signature subjects. These represent literary rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Portrait of the Artist H, lead me toa quiet cell Where never footfall rankles, And bar the window passing well And gyve my wrists and ankles. Oh, wrap my eyes with linen fair, With hempen cord go bind me, And, of your mercy, leave me there, Nor tell them where to find me. Oh, lock the portal as you go, And see its bolts be double. . . . Come back in half an hour or so, And I will be in trouble. Experience OME men break your heart in two, Some men fawn and flatter, Some men never look at you; And that cleans up the matter. Just a Little Off Key By Dorothy Parker Inscription for the Ceiling of a Bedroom AILY dawns another day; I must up, to make my way. Though! sand drinkandeat, 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 T'ma fool to rise at all! Unfortunate Coincidence Y the time you swear you're his, Sh s passion is this One of you is lying. Philosophy [FIshould labor through daylightand dark, mark; And what if I don’t, and what if I do? Autobiography H, both my shoes are shiny new, And pristine is my hat; My dress is 1922. . My life is all like that. comicbooks.com