She Must Settle For Second Best Poem by Francis Duggan

She walks hand in hand with Joseph but she only has eyes for Fred
The one who has fallen in love is the one who is easily led
She deliberately takes Joseph past the house where Fred lives in hope that by him they'll be seen
She is playing games with the poor silly fellow to the hard facts of life he is green.

Yet Fred in her is not showing interest though her heart races in excitement when to her he says hello
She cannot get the fellow she wants so she has to make do with Joe
Few do get what they most want in life and some must settle for second best
With Joseph she surely will stay since he is the pick of the rest

Of the young men she knows of the Town none as sophisticated
as Fred
Their interest is in beer and football and taking young women to bed
Though Joseph not as boorish as them he lacks in Fred's good looks and I Q
She must settle for second best her choices 'twould seem are so few.

With Joseph she walks hand in hand though for Fred she only has eyes
He loves her and he thinks she loves him her feelings she is good to disguise
Whenever she sees or meets Fred in the Local Pub or on the street
She blushes like a crimson rose and her heart it misses a beat.