Dorothy Parker

The Satin Dress

Needle, needle, dip and dart,
Thrusting up and down,
Where’s the man could ease a heart
Like a satin gown?
 
See the stitches curve and crawl
Round the cunning seams–
Patterns thin and sweet and small
As a lady’s dreams.
 
Wantons go in bright brocade;
Brides in organdie;
Gingham’s for the plighted maid;
Satin’s for the free!
 
Wool’s to line a miser’s chest;
Crepe’s to calm the old;
Velvet hides an empty breast
Satin’s for the bold!
 
Lawn is for a bishop’s yoke;
Linen’s for a nun;
Satin is for wiser folk–
Would the dress were done!
 
Satin glows in candlelight–
Satin’s for the proud!
They will say who watch at night,
“What a fine shroud!”
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