(22 August 1893 - 7 June 1967 / Long Branch / New Jersey)

poet Dorothy Parker
#33 on top 500 poets
What do you think this poem is about?

"Star Light, Star Bright--"

Star, that gives a gracious dole,
What am I to choose?
Oh, will it be a shriven soul,
Or little buckled shoes?

Shall I wish a wedding-ring,
Bright and thin and round,
Or plead you send me covering-
A newly spaded mound?

Gentle beam, shall I implore
Gold, or sailing-ships,
Or beg I hate forevermore
A pair of lying lips?

Swing you low or high away,
Burn you hot or dim;
My only wish I dare not say-
Lest you should grant me him.

Submitted: Monday, January 13, 2003


Read poems about / on: wedding, hate, star, light

Comments about this poem ("Star Light, Star Bright--" by Dorothy Parker )

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  • Patricia Grantham (1/9/2013 5:54:00 AM)

    What a delicious poem! Oh so childlike but again a master of knowing what you want! How gracious.
    Very good poem

    2 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Cynthia Buhain-Baello (6/29/2009 5:52:00 AM)

    Great engaging style! Straight easy-to-read and definitely and enjoyable poem.
    Dorothy Parker's style is no frills style and she writes simply without prolixity and she does not make the reader try to find his way out of a literary maze of words. Real poetry!

    5 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Alissa Murphy (2/8/2009 8:40:00 PM)

    I think she realizes that whatever her wish might be-love, fortune, passion, convention-there would be a sacrafice and a disappointment; nonetheless, her heart harbors a wish...a 'him.'

    3 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Kevin Straw (12/27/2008 7:38:00 AM)

    I'm not sure if DP is saying she'll not chose a man who wants to 'tame' her, or all men will try to do so, so she will chose none. Either way she is at her acidic best in this poem. Even the slightly old-fashioned tone adds bite.

    4 person liked.
    		2 person did not like.
  • Talitha Mathew (2/22/2008 10:55:00 AM)

    I like the contrast between the strong, nursery rhyme-like rhythm and the sharp sophistication of the thoughts and wishes encapsulated in this poem.

    6 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Lyndsey Keesee (2/21/2007 6:43:00 PM)

    I LOVE THIS POEM, IT IS ONE OF DOROTHY'S VERY BEST IN MY OPINION.
    SHE HAS SUCH A WAY WITH WORDS. SHE'S GREAT.

    3 person liked.
    		3 person did not like.
Read all 6 comments »

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