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.

I knew the language of the floweret;
“My fragile leaves,” it said, “his heart enclose.”
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it’s always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.

Readings

Dorothy Parker: 'One Perfect Rose' read by John Standing
Dorothy Parker: 'One Perfect Rose' read by Kristin Scott Thomas
Select reading
Dorothy Parker: 'One Perfect Rose' read by John Standing
Dorothy Parker: 'One Perfect Rose' read by Kristin Scott Thomas
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