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 brocades;

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 a bishop’s yoke;

Linen’s for a nun;

Satin is for wiser folk—

Would the dress were done!

Satin glows in candle-light—

Satin’s for the proud!

They will say who watch at night,

“What a fine shroud!”