i courted fairest Nancy, her love I didn’t obtain. Do you think I had a reason or right to complain? —old song
Be prepared to never be loved
By the head too big, by the neck too short,
By the lisp reading the book report.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the numerous crushes you have—
Distracted, overworked, or sad—
Or indifferent, just as you suppose.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the lined forehead, by the pimply nose,
By the combat victim. To never be loved is not so bad.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the dog who only wants a treat,
By the quiet one, whose perfumed desk is very neat.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the one like you—
That’s self-loathing for two.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the different and the strange.
They will always seem just out of range.
Be prepared to never be loved
By your parents who cannot believe
They age, and you leave.
Be prepared to never be loved
By children who cannot conceive
You age, and they leave.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the gentle, law abiding, woman or man.
You’ll find there’s another plan.
Be prepared to never be loved
By the one who writes poetry—
No understanding. Rivalry.
Be prepared to never be loved.
Unless you are in hell
And once they knew you well.
Be prepared to never be loved.