Dorothy Parker was an American writer and poet who worked as a critic and satirist. She is known for her scathing wit and ability to point out the absurd foibles of contemporary society.
Dorothy published around 300 poems in publications like Vanity Fair and The New Yorker in the 1920s. She was also a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table, comprising acclaimed actors, critics, and writers, and their witticisms and wordplay significantly influenced Parker’s poetry.
Some of Dorothy Parker’s best poems include the likes of ‘The Choice,’ ‘But Not Forgotten,’ ‘Resumé,’ and ‘A Dream Lies Dead.’
‘But Not Forgotten’ by Dorothy Parker speaks to the impact of one person’s memory on their past romantic partner.
I think, no matter where you stray,
That I shall go with you a way.
Though you may wander sweeter lands,
You will not soon forget my hands,
‘The Choice’ contrasts love and wealth, ending with a humorous twist on prioritizing the heart.
He'd have given me rolling lands,
Houses of marble, and billowing farms,
Pearls, to trickle between my hands,
Smoldering rubies, to circle my arms.
‘Resumé’ by Parker humorously rejects suicide options for superficial reasons, ultimately suggesting life, despite pain, is easier.
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
‘A Dream Lies Dead’ reflects on the solemn loss of dreams, likening it to falling petals and a collective mourning for beauty’s defeat.
A dream lies dead here. May you softly go
Before this place, and turn away your eyes,
Nor seek to know the look of that which dies
Importuning Life for life. Walk not in woe,
‘One Perfect Rose’ by Parker humorously critiques clichéd romantic gestures, questioning the sincerity behind giving a single rose.
A single flow’r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet—
One perfect rose.
‘Autumn Valentine’ by Dorothy Parker reveals two moments in the scope of the narrator’s pain — one when the pain was new and one when it had endured for a time in the shadows.
In May my heart was breaking–
Oh, wide the wound, and deep!
‘On Being a Woman’ is a humorous short poem about the poet’s unpredictable mind. This poem highlights how the poet thinks about love.
Why is it, when I am in Rome,
I'd give an eye to be at home,
But when on native earth I be,
My soul is sick for Italy?
Dorothy Parker’s ‘A Certain Lady’ insightfully explores unrequited love and emotional disguise, revealing a profound narrative of personal conflict and societal expectations in relationships.
Oh, I can smile for you, and tilt my head,
And drink your rushing words with eager lips,
And paint my mouth for you a fragrant red,
And trace your brows with tutored finger-tips.
‘Inventory’ by Dorothy Parker is a thoughtful and entertaining poem. It outlines what the speaker has in her life, would be wiser to know, better off without, and more.
Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.
Four be the things I’d been better without:
Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.
‘Penelope’ contrasts the realities women and men have historically experienced during wars to asks questions about what bravery means.
In the pathway of the sun,
In the footsteps of the breeze,
Where the world and sky are one,
He shall ride the silver seas,
FAQs about Dorothy ParkAs a critic, satirist, and member of the Algonquin Round Table, Parker’s experiences in early 20th-century New York’s literary circles shaped her sharp, observant style. Her personal struggles with relationships and mental health also informed her darker, more introspective pieces.
Dorothy Parker often wrote about heartbreak, love affairs, the purpose of life, her dreams, and the fluidity of opinion. Other poems deal with more challenging themes like suicide and losing loved ones.
Dorothy Parker’s poetry often explores themes like unrequited love, disappointment, societal expectations, and the absurdity of modern life. Her work blends wit with emotional depth, frequently highlighting the contrast between romantic ideals and harsh realities.
While not labeled as a feminist in her time, many of Parker’s poems challenge traditional gender roles and romantic clichés, offering a proto-feminist voice. Her satire often critiques the limitations placed on women in both personal relationships and broader society.
Parker stood out for combining emotional vulnerability with razor-sharp wit. Unlike many poets of her time, she embraced humor and irony to explore serious subjects like love, death, and identity—creating a distinctive voice that feels both modern and emotionally honest.
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