Jerz, ''Poems: Short but Effective'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)
"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."
I love Dorothy Parker. She's a master at taking your expectations and turning them completely upside down. This poem starts out sounding like an old-fashioned poem about love and how this nice little rose symbolizes the love for her. Then she contrasts with a limousine and you realize how it's just one pathetic little rose. It's great how in just this one stanza she can completely turn your perception around. That's why I love her humor. She has that vital element of surprise which is central to all comedy.