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)