I always saw, I always said
If I were grown and free,
I’d have a gown of reddest red
As fine as you could see,

To wear out walking, sleek and slow,
Upon a Summer day,
And there’d be one to see me so
And flip the world away.

And he would be a gallant one,
With stars behind his eyes,
And hair like metal in the sun,
And lips too warm for lies.

I always saw us, gay and good,
High honored in the town.
Now I am grown to womanhood….
I have the silly gown.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Dorothy Parker's poem The Red Dress

3 Comments

  1. Me says:

    The Red Dress
    Dorothy Parker

    I always saw, I always said
    If I were grown and free,
    I’d have a gown of reddest red
    As fine as you could see,

    To wear out walking, sleek and slow,
    Upon a Summer day,
    And there’d be one to see me so
    And flip the world away.

    And he would be a gallant one,
    With stars behind his eyes,
    And hair like metal in the sun,
    And lips too warm for lies.

    I always saw us, gay and good,
    High honored in the town.
    Now I am grown to womanhood….
    I have the silly gown.

  2. alisha wooten says:

    This poem is just like the poem’s i write myself I love poems that have great ending to them.

  3. jen says:

    i love this poem the ending is funny

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