The American poet Dorothy Parker published "One Perfect Rose" in her first book, Enough Rope (1926). The poem's speaker dryly mocks the clichéd romantic gesture of giving a lover a rose. After sarcastically waxing poetic about the beauty and emotional significance of a single "perfect rose," the speaker jokes that she'd much rather receive "one perfect limousine" as a gift. This poem pokes fun not just at old-fashioned gifts, but at old-fashioned (and rather sexist) ideas about romance in general.
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A single flow'r ...
... One perfect rose.
I knew the ...
... "his heart enclose."
Love long has ...
... One perfect rose.
Why is it ...
... One perfect rose.
Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.
A Reading of the Poem — Listen to Dorothy Parker herself reading "One Perfect Rose."
A Video Biography — Watch a short documentary about Parker's life and work.
The Paris Review Interview — Read the Paris Review's "Art of Poetry" interview with Dorothy Parker, which showcases her classic wit and sheds light on her approach to poetry.
The Dorothy Parker Society — Learn more about Parker's enduring influence at the website of the Dorothy Parker Society.
The Algonquin Round Table — Read about the Algonquin Round Table, the influential artistic circle with which Parker worked and schmoozed.