My Virtual Reading Room

The Satin Dress

Needle, needle, dip and dart,
Thrusting up and down,
Where's a 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,
Crape's to calm the old;
Velvet hides an empty breast;
Satin's for the bold!

Lawn is for the 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 nigh,
"What a fine shroud!"

(Dorothy Parker)