Sunset Gun/Swan Song

by Dorothy Parker

For works with similar titles, see Swan song.

Layout 2

Swan Song

FIRST you are hot,
Then you are cold;
And the best you have got
Is the fact you are old.
Labor and hoard,
Worry and wed,
And the biggest reward
Is to die in bed.
A long time to sweat,
A little while to shiver;
It’s all you’ll get—
Where’s the nearest river?