Gossip

.. be clever".
But does this course pay dividends?
I answer . . . hardly ever!

Figment

It's snowing feathers to-day.
Bits of maribou
From some very frivolous angel's
Bed-Jacket!

Unbiased Comment

Small furry creatures part with life
To deck each plutocratic wife.
And many a tender throat is wrapt
In silky softness someone trapped.
I don't condemn this savage rite
Nor wince to see the endless sight
Of lovely ladies wrapt in fur . . .
Egad! I only wish I were!

Venomous Woman

She has avaricious fingers
On which there lingers
The bitter scent of almonds.
Poisonous woman!
How her nails
Glitter in the candlelight.
Only her eyes
Suddenly tear you apart.
There is a look in them
Of one who gazed on death
And found it
Beautiful!

Bookshops

Bookshops have a lovely smell
Sweet and sour . . . heaven and hell.
Dust and mould, and something magic,
Laughter, cheek by jo