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Sing softly, from within the bower
Weave a tapestry of sparkling themes
See reflected the fabled tower
Sigh, for the loss of dreams
There is no life beyond this place
Sing softly, from within the bower
Time drifts in this ensorcelled space
Sing softly, now and for each hour
Inhale the scent of morning flower
Watch horsemen ride and lovers kiss
Sing softly, from within the bower
Weave the story, unknown bliss
She knows one day the curse will fall
When mirror shatters in a shower
Her soul will float beyond the wall
But now, sing softly in the bower
I’m still channeling Victorians. A not-quite quatern—the syllable counts vary. For some reason, I was thinking about the “Lady of Shalott” at 3 A.M a few mornings ago. The words “tower” and “bower” were in my head. Here is Tennyson’s poem, if you don’t know it.
Here is Lorena McKennittt’s lovely sung version.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
“She knows one day the curse will fall” Lovely quatern, very Tennyson 🙂
Thank you, Jane!
It has its joyful moments, along with the sadness of the possible shattering of dreams and reality, (death) will occur. This was well written, Merril. I feel the emotions and foreboding sense of doom in this. Smiles, Robin
Thank you, Robin! 🙂
I like what you have written but I don’t like the person you have painted a portrait of. I want to give her a shake. Having said that, what beautiful images you bring up. The mirror one particularly struck me because it was hard and splintery and so much of the rest of the poem is soft.
Thanks so much, Claudia. I hadn’t thought of the contrast as hard and soft. Interesting point, you’re right. As far as the woman, I know exactly what you mean. It’s the Sleeping Beauty thing–the passive female beauty–which goes against all my feminist thinking. Yet, I’m still drawn to it. I like to think that she was there enchanted and couldn’t move until the curse allowed her to leave (and die). Yikes–maybe that’s worse. 😉
Yes. At the mercy of a curse. Now there is a story!
Only you (possibly me) would wake up at 3:00 am thinking of The Lady of Shalott. Reading the poem again I am struck by all the color imagery.
Your eye injury has not deprived you of good insight. 😊
Thanks, Marian! I guess it is an odd thing to wake up thinking about. I also reread the poem. I suppose that type of poetry fell out of favor for a while, but the language really is beautiful. I also love McKennitt’s musical version.
Sometimes it’s hard to resist the romance of these images…and you capture it beautifully. (K)
Thanks, Kerfe!
She’s very beautiful in her forested bower – she who knows … Thanks Merril much in it …
Thanks so much, Susan!
splendid. capturing that mournful melancholy of life caught in the mortal coil – that curse.
Thank you, Doug. That curse, indeed. 🙂
Very romantic and evocative.
Thanks, Susan!
I loved these two lines especially–so evocative:
Weave a tapestry of sparkling themes
Sing softly, now and for each hour
Thanks, Jennifer. I imagined her weaving and time passing, but everything was sort of timeless, too, if that makes sense.
Absolutely! The repetition reinforces that timeless feeling, I think.
🙂
Splendidly done, especially “Time drifts in this ensorcelled space”
Thank you, Ken. I was getting all Victorian romantic. 🙂
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