Her Lilac Dress

Human Written by Goodness Kelechi · Sep 05, 2026

I saw her
my soon-to-be owner
she walked in the store with her sisters
she passed by the blue jeans
that most teenage girls rushed to
she skipped past the flowery sundress
that was perfect for summer
she even ignored those gucci purses
that where on a sale
and she stopped right in front of me
i was the last of my kind
all my brothers and sisters were taken away
then she picked me up from the racks
and rubbed my cotton skin against her fingers
then she went over to her mum
and said "i want this one"
and funny enough
i was the only thing she bought that day

i followed her to church on sunday
and soaked in all the compliments showered on her
concerning me
it was wonderful,
then when we returned home
she hung me in front of her wadrobe
where i had been since she bought me
right beside her bed
i remember how she used to brush against my cotton sleeves before she went to bed
she wore me for brunch with the girls
for her first date
for her first breakup
i felt her chest heaving as she laughed
i felt her body tremble as she cried
i felt her
i heard her
i was almost a part of her

the closet has grown
but im still on the outside
and dust has begun creeping through the edges of her wadrobe
i havent seen her in a while
i dont think it's been that long though
then as i was still moving with the breeze that blows from her bedroom window
she walks in
but instead of picking me up
she opens the wadrobe
which is ironic, since im right here
she then finds something to wear
then she pulls from the hanger
and stuffs me into her wardrobe
and hangs the outfit she brought out
turns out it was a flowery sundress
which was a reminder that it was already summer
now im apart from her

i am crumpled up
between denim and satin
as her younger sister opens the wardrobe from time to time
to choose an outfit
she never chose me tho
but one day
when she finally returns
and she picks me
and folds me gently
and lays me down preciously
in a brown box
then she closes it
only a slight beam of light creeps in through the tape she put to seal the box
i was folded beside denim
under satin
and above me was her flowery sundress
and as she picked up the box
i saw a glimpse of her new gucci purse
but i have to be patient
i have to wait
like i waited when she first chose me
and maybe if i wait long enough
she'll choose me again.

How did this poem make you feel?

Community Score

6.7

out of 10

3 votes

Optional AI-generated literary feedback.

Poem Analysis

This analysis is provided as optional literary feedback. Community voting remains the primary ranking method.

Analysis Available

This poem offers a poignant exploration of attachment and obsolescence through the perspective of a garment. It effectively uses personification to convey themes of change and sentimentality, capturing the emotional journey of the object as it moves from cherished possession to forgotten relic.

Strengths

The personification of the garment creates a unique narrative perspective, as seen in lines like 'i felt her chest heaving as she laughed' and 'i heard her'.
The poem effectively captures the passage of time and changing priorities, particularly in the transition from being worn frequently to being stored away, as reflected in 'dust has begun creeping through the edges of her wadrobe'.
The emotional connection between the garment and the owner is vividly depicted, especially in 'i was almost a part of her', which underscores the depth of their bond.

Areas for Improvement

The poem occasionally lacks clarity in its narrative progression, particularly in the transition from being worn to being stored, which can create confusion about the timeline.
Some spelling and grammatical errors, such as 'wadrobe' instead of 'wardrobe' and 'im' instead of 'I'm', detract from the poem's polish and professionalism.

Imagery

The poem uses visual and tactile imagery to evoke the sensory experiences of the garment, such as 'rubbed my cotton skin against her fingers' and 'crumpled up between denim and satin'. These details help to create a vivid sense of the garment's texture and its environment. The imagery of dust and the 'breeze that blows from her bedroom window' effectively conveys the passage of time and neglect.

Structure

The poem is structured in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter, which suits the narrative style. The line breaks and stanza divisions reflect shifts in the narrative, such as the transition from being worn to being stored. However, the lack of punctuation in some areas can lead to ambiguity in the poem's pacing and flow.

Language & Craft

The diction is straightforward and accessible, with a conversational tone that reflects the garment's perspective. The use of repetition, such as 'i felt her' and 'i have to wait', reinforces the garment's emotional state and sense of longing. However, the poem could benefit from more varied linguistic techniques, such as alliteration or assonance, to enhance its musicality.

Emotional Impact

The poem effectively captures the bittersweet nature of the garment's relationship with its owner, evoking a sense of nostalgia and loss. The emotional resonance is strongest in moments of intimacy, such as 'i felt her body tremble as she cried', which highlight the garment's deep connection to the owner's life experiences.