Monday, 28 February 2011

Poetic Ponders (2)

2 comments
Poetic Ponders is a feature run by the lovely Sophie of So Many Books, So Little Time, where we share poems we love. As I'm a bit of a poem fan (when I understand them), I decided to join in!

This week, I'm sharing...

Lilith/Body's Beauty by Gabriel Rossetti
Of Adam's first wife, Lilith, it is told
(The witch he loved before the gift of Eve,)
That, ere the snake's, her sweet tongue could deceive,
And her enchanted hair was the first gold.
And still she sits, young while the earth is old,
And, subtly of herself contemplative,
Draws men to watch the bright web she can weave,
Till heart and body and life are in its hold.

The rose and poppy are her flower; for where
Is he not found, O Lilith, whom shed scent
And soft-shed kisses and soft sleep shall snare?
Lo! as that youth's eyes burned at thine, so went
Thy spell through him, and left his straight neck bent
And round his heart one strangling golden hair.


This poem was originally titled Lilith, but was later published as Body's Beauty. It was written to go with the painting Lady Lilith (below). I love the painting, and the whole myth of Lilith, so this poem just works for me. I really like it! You can read an analysis here.

lady lilith by gabriel rossetti

2 comments:

  1. So Many Books, So Little Time28 February 2011 at 16:48

    This is beautiful. After watching the tv show about the Romantic painters/poets I fell ni love with Dante Gabriel Rossetti. And the Romantic period in general actually...

    Thanks for taking part, Jo!

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  2. Jo28 February 2011 at 16:50

    It is pretty awesome! I watched that programme too, though because I already loved the Pre-Raphaelite paintings. I like the redheads, lol. :)
    No problem! I love this feature!

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