Carolene's
Poem Portraits
By
James J. Metcalfe
Lady's Purse
A lady's purse is something that...Deserves a sort of prize...
Especially for all it holds...Despite its modest size...It usually
contains the things ...That help her face to pass... Including
lipstick, powder, rouge...And her own looking glass...But also
there are bobby pins...A handkerchief or two...Some cigarettes
and matches and...A bit of gum to chew...A list of groceries
to buy...A letter from a friend...A pair of gloves, some ribbon
and...A little cash to spend...And that is why the other
sex... Is given to despair... When ladies board a trolley car
... And fumble for their fare.
James J. Metcalfe
Some things have changed since this poem was written between 1940-1958. But purses have not changed