Ten Warnings for Men

"Beware of the man who praises liberated women; he is planning to quit his job." Erica Jong, "Seventeen Warnings in Search of A Feminist Poem"



Beware of the woman poet;
she's waiting to be surprised by a swan.

Beware of the woman with sharp pencils;
she thinks you're a marginal note.

Beware of the woman who keeps coming toward you;
she thinks she's the light at the end of the tunnel.

Beware of the woman who accepts you as you are;
she's weary.

Beware of the woman who loves to cook;
she'll make you delve into the leftovers.

Beware of the woman who won't cook;
she'll eat you raw.

Beware of the woman who won't be touched;
she keeps a list of small injuries.

Beware of the woman who lifts weights;
she'll let you down.

Beware of the unliberated woman;
she knows when to call her lawyer.

Beware of the liberated woman;
she's her own lawyer
.