MEN ARE ALL ALIKE She worked for a rich man: he tried to buy love. ‘Men are all alike!’ She left him then. She worked for a poor man: he craved her love. ‘Men are all alike!’ She left him too. She met a beggar: he whined for love. ‘Men are all alike!’ She left him soon. Then she met a thief: he wanted no love. ‘This one’s alright!’ She stayed with him. He was kind, so kind, and he wanted no love. ‘Bring me a bracelet of oyster pearls!’ He stole her the bracelet but she didn’t wear it. ‘Bring me a gold ring for my third finger!’ He stole her the ring but she didn’t wear it. ‘Bring me a silken cord for a long journey!’ He stole her the cord: she DID wear THAT. ‘Men are all alike!’ And she hanged herself.
(1966)