The Dress

It was the last year of high school and there was a lack of beaux,
But then I got an invite. Whew, that was close!
So now the Prom was coming and I was going to go!
Mom gassed up for the city, headed out with me in tow,
Big stores all hunched together on a tall and scary street,
One dress along a rack with just repeat, repeat, repeat.

But Mom found a creation in an entirely different place,
Moulded tulle and satin, fairy dust and moonlit lace!
I thought she was kidding though the thing was just my size.
I was worried; fairy tales don't often turn out to be wise.
And the price tag is ridiculous! I said Mom take a look!
She plunked it down determinedly, tore a check out of the book.

That left a lot for me to do. My looks are commonplace.
New makeup and new lipstick; how about new face?
Silken shoes, a tiny purse, it's a lot of stress
Just trying to live up to this fantastic dress!
Rhinestone droplets dangle dangerous from my ear,
My long hair piled up high. How much taller I appear!

Prom night came...Poor Tommy! I was done up to impress.
My hair swept up, my makeup on, long earrings and the Dress!
He stood there in the doorway, uncertain in his tux,
Black tie, stiff shirt; this is getting all too much!
The corsage he held between us was carnations glowing red.
He looked up cautiously and ventured; "Is that you, Bo?" he said.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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12
Ray Avatar
May 19, 2023 at 12:12 PM
as a man who was raised with only sisters, i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me back when all the world revolved around their deepest feelings....such enchantment you gave to me....to be a woman upon the precipice of a Cinderella moment...and yes, i read every Jane Austen novel, and yes the dog, rabbits, parakeets and i suspect even the goldfish were female...and i had only daughters
Hankins Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 8:38 PM
I loved this poem when I first read it, so it brings me great pleasure being back here to congratulate you that it has been named P.O.T.W.!
Watt Avatar
November 10, 2022 at 3:55 PM
Elizabeth, I love autobiographical writes such as this because a) they are authentic, and b) they leave a legacy to all who know and love you. There is much to be charmed with in this story of the Dress. I can just imagine being Tommy in a tux wondering if that's really his friend behind all the external accessories and adornments. Well told, congrats for your POTW award ~ John
Mccann Avatar
November 10, 2022 at 4:45 PM
I like the way you comment, John. I always feel that you have really experienced the poem and reacted from your own center. Thank you so very much1 Elizabeth
Seeker Avatar
November 10, 2022 at 12:05 AM
(Smiles) ~ a delightful read, beautifully narrated. Congrats on POTW, Elizabeth
Mccann Avatar
November 10, 2022 at 12:43 AM
Unseeking, so glad to have caught your attention! Lovely to hear from you. Eizabeth
Kitchin Avatar
November 9, 2022 at 3:05 AM
Elizabeth, a charming story, well penned, congratulations on POTW!
Mccann Avatar
November 10, 2022 at 12:45 AM
Thanks, Tania! It's really great to have a poem that works for others whose work I respect. Elizabeth
Lawrence Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 6:53 PM
So emotional.. so much pressure..so intense and joyful and full of that teen age angst. I love the ending! Wonderfully expressed Elizabeth !Belated congratulations on POTW! All the best to you, Susan :)
Mccann Avatar
November 10, 2022 at 12:47 AM
I know; crises all over the place! But, yes, Tommy and I laughed at the time! Elizabeth
Anaya Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 7:11 AM
My emotions are everywhere. Those uncertain years of juvenescence! Your brave mother, [the dress] oh my, and Tommy, enough said. Congratulations on The POTW Elizabeth McCann!
Mccann Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 12:54 PM
Thank you, Anaya. Yes, you caught that; my mother taught me to be brave and Tommy was very sweet. The photo turned out blurry but maybe that's okay for a fairy tale. Elizabeth
Ray Choudhury Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 5:40 AM
Congratulations, Dear Elizabeth, on honour of POTW. What an amazingly lovely poem, and what an amazing story of our youth! Those days were very very sweet! And you have captured the delightful memory with perfect descriptions of every detail!
Mccann Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 12:51 PM
It's amazing to me how so many of us were feeling this anxiousness with thrill mixed in. We could share the thrill but kept the anxiety secret. Now we recognize the sweetness, as you say. Elizabeth
Parker Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 10:25 PM
Delightful stress of the dress! Oh, those days...~;o)
Mccann Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 10:45 PM
Great reply, Arlo! I've lost track of your work; I'll go have a look. Elizabeth
Fowler Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 7:01 AM
Aww so cute and so cleverly done Elizabeth - congratulations on the honor of your POTW!
Mccann Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 12:20 PM
Thank you, Linda! I enjoy hearing from you! Elizabeth
Edmonds  Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 2:51 AM
Fabulous poetry Elizabeth, a beautiful rendition telling the thrill of the prom. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the week… Belle
Mccann Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 12:23 PM
Belle, really nice of you to comment. I guess at that time of our lives, we are filled with the magic of music and dance and boys and we still remember though our limbs won't move that way any more! (creak!) Elizabeth
Meadows Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 11:59 PM
A lovely poem. Congratulations on your POTW. Well done.
Mccann Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 1:32 AM
Thank you, Jeanette. I appreciate your reply! Elizabeth
M  Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 11:28 PM
Wow…Poem Of The Week what a accolade! Congratulations Elizabeth you so deserve it. A wonderful poem of reflection. Cheers Debx
Mccann Avatar
November 7, 2022 at 1:31 AM
Ah, Deb, you are such a great support. Thank you very much and cheers back! Elizabeth
Nicole Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 4:54 PM
Just so you know, common is "beautiful." The dress may have been elegant, but it was you, that sparkled that night. All because of your outlook and your positive attitude. Such a wonderful memory Elizabeth. Congratulations on Poem of the Week. My best to you. :) Hugs, Brandy
Mccann Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 5:01 PM
What a lovely reply, Brandy. I have missed out on your work, going to have a look! Hugs back! Elizabeth
Gorelick Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 12:10 PM
An idyllic retro visit to a waltz down your memory lane. Congratulations on POTW!
Mccann Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 5:03 PM
My reply to you has disappeared! Oh well I love a waltz! Thank you! Elizabeth
La France Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 11:40 AM
Elizabeth, your poem is truly wonderful and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE WEEK honor
Mccann Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 4:50 PM
So pleased to hear from you, Constance! I constantly check in with your work, always rewarding! Elizabeth
Baker Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 9:07 AM
Back to say congratulations on your Poem Of The Week honor, Liz. No surprise for such a fine poem! Write On my friend! Bill
Mccann Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 4:52 PM
Hi Bill! Yeah, I'm suffering from shock! (but nice shock) We keep on keeping on! Elizabeth
Logan Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 5:27 AM
Oh, how delightfully you've recreated this memory for us to read, Elizabeth! I'm curious about your nickname of 'Bo.' Congratulations on it being chosen potw.
Logan Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 5:47 PM
Thank you for the explanation and the compliment on my poetry, Elizabeth. That’s very kind of you.
Mccann Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 4:56 PM
Delighted to hear from you, Jenna. I admire your work in its diverse entirety! "Bo" is the most direct form of Elizabeth in my childhood grammar. "Beth" was for the petit and sweet. I was petit. Elizabeth
Cunningham Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 1:27 AM
Happy memories Elizabeth, congratulations to you on the honour of POTW. Have a great weekend. Tom
Mccann Avatar
November 6, 2022 at 4:56 PM
Honored to hear from you, Tom. I'll do my best! Elizabeth
Baker Avatar
November 5, 2022 at 2:04 PM
How precious, I loved it, Elizabeth. A FAV for me. memories flood my mind of my prom night 59 years ago. I still remember it well. I bet you were lovely, all fixed up and in "that" dress. :-) The ending was perfect. Nice poetry my friend to be. Bill
Sayers Avatar
November 5, 2022 at 10:26 AM
Loved your poem Elizabeth it left a big smile on my face
DiMino Avatar
November 4, 2022 at 11:55 AM
This is just delightful to read, from start to finish. Wow! Words can't express how much I enjoyed this poem. Wonderful! You get a Fav!
Mccann Avatar
November 4, 2022 at 2:08 PM
Thank you, Joe. You are such a dear! Elizabeth
Rose  Avatar
November 4, 2022 at 4:46 AM
lol that must have been some night, I am sure you looked like a fairy Princess. amazing story, I hope its real Elizabeth
Mccann Avatar
November 4, 2022 at 2:07 PM
Yes, amazingly true. I even have a photo but the spangles glittered and made it all a bit fuzzy. Maybe that's better. I might be disappointed by too much reality! Elizabeth
Mccann Avatar
November 2, 2022 at 3:51 PM
I just googled poor Tommy and found him on a 70th reunion picture, end of the back row. The picture has been cropped; the two men at the end of the last row are missing! We never became an item, just friends but he was/is a truly nice person. Liz
Wolf Avatar
November 2, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Such an adorable ending there, Liz... Now, I'm dying to know how you answered poor Tommy on Prom night! Keep smiling, Gershon
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