Just Like a Man
This is the phrase they love to say:
‘Just like a man!’
You can hear it wherever you chance to stray:
‘Just like a man!’
The wife of the toiler, the queen of the king,
The bride with the shiny new wedding-ring
And the grandmothers, too, at our sex will fling,
‘Just like a man!’
Cranky and peevish at times we grow:
‘Just like a man!’
Now and then boastful of what we know:
‘Just like a man!’
Whatever our failings from day to day—
Stingy, or giving our goods away—
With a toss of her head, she is sure to say,
‘Just like a man!’
Unannounced strangers we bring to tea:
‘Just like a man!’
Heedless of every propriety:
‘Just like a man!’
Grumbling at money she spends for spats
And filmy dresses and gloves and hats,
Yet wanting her stylishly garbed, and that’s
‘Just like a man!’
Wanting attention from year to year:
‘Just like a man!’
Seemingly helpless when she’s not near:
‘Just like a man!’
Troublesome often, and quick to demur,
Still remaining the boys we were,
Yet soothed and blest by the love of her:
‘Just like a man!’
Other works by Edgar Albert Guest...
