If beneath the blue and honeyed light,
we dream of love, and watch
milk-lather waves in tumbling play,
then we can recall those dreams
when shadows scream
and mind-aches sway
our thoughts—
there’s evil about
and cold winds blow, my love,
but there! They sweep the sky
of storms, and blanketed against the air,
we wait for sun-dazzled caramel rays
to cast aside the haunted winter-breath
and with summer-warmth overlay.
The Oracle kept giving me “shadow,” today, and it made me think of the Lady of Shallott,
“I am half sick of shadows,” said
The Lady of Shalott.”
And aren’t we all?
The Lady of Shalott.” John William Waterhouse
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you so much!
Beautiful, Merril! And yes, we are 😅
Thank you so much, Ingrid.
Our kids are feeling it, too. We had a family Zoom last night just to get together.
😳 hope you’re reunited soon!
💙
That’s another wonderful Waterhouse!
But your message and the painting by Krøyer are much like mine. Spring is there somewhere. (K)
Thank you. Yes, I thought the first painting fit the poem better, but I did want to share the connection to The Lady of Shallott with the Waterhouse.
It’s so interesting the connections our mind makes.
Yes, it is.
For me, you are very good with imagery – especially when two worlds meet, such as dreams and reality. Well done, Merril.
That’s a lovely compliment. Thank you, Frank!
🙂
I’m with you and the Lady of Shalott in longing “to cast aside the haunted winter-breath / and with summer-warmth overlay.”
Thank you so much, Liz. I’m sure it’s much colder where you are, but the whole world seems weary right now.
You’re welcome, Merril. The cold doesn’t make me weary. It’s everything else. 😉
Yes, I agree.
We expect shadows to whisper, not scream, but the Lady of Shalott expressed herself in no uncertain terms, just as you do here. “If winter comes can spring be far behind?” Yes, spring can seem “far behind,” even though we know it comes in the next cycle.
Thank you, Marian. Yes, spring will come, but it’s more than the temperatures that are wearying.
Ah yes. Beautifully done. Spring will come (though with these temps, it’s hard to fathom) and I am with you, your readers and the Lady of Shalott!
Thank you, Dale!
You are most welcome
I love Waterhouse! There is such detail in these paintings. I really connected to your poetry today, Merril. I love how you dealt with the shadows. ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen! 💙
Lovely, Merril. I believe longer days will help to lift our weariness.
Thank you, Jill. I hope so.
Lovely, Merril, and, like Jill noted, at least we’re getting longer days. I’m looking forward to the sun rising earlier so I might get up earlier for my walks. I could (and have) walked before sunrise but I prefer not to. If I do, I’d have to wear a reflective vest since most of my walking is on roads. Makes me feel silly 😉
Thank you, Marie.
I’ve walked in morning twilight–with a white scarf on–but not since it’s been cold enough for ice to be on the ground. I want to be able to see that!
Another fine poem with lovely uses of your hyphen
Thank you, Derrick. 😀
Yes we are (sick of shadows).
Thanks, Ken. 😀
I was going to say this has a lovely classical rhythm to it. That last couplet is lovely!
Thank you very much! 😀
A beautiful poem, Merril. It has a Victorian feel to it.
Thank you so much!
Fabulous, Merril!
Interesting that your opening pic was not The Lady of Shalott.
Well, you weave with the Oracle.
When you weave, there are tails to contend with. So your tail is The Lady of Shalott.
Hahaha. I actually did have The Lady of Shallot painting at first but I didn’t think it fit the poem as well.
Cool and interesting!
😀
First, I love your gorgeous poem! Second, I’m very fond of the Lady of Shallot!!
Thank you very much!
I like it, too, but I also think of Anne of Green Gables acting it out. 😀
Ohhh, I had no idea Anne of Green Gables acted it out–is that movie??
It’s in the book, Anne of Green Gables. Do you know of it? Anne loves the poem, but it’s also in the TV versions, I think, including the recent Anne with an E on Netflix.
Oh WOW, thanks for telling me about this!!! 🙂
You’re welcome. 😀
😊
The lady of shallot used is one of my favourites! Seems like any other normal poem but has to be understood in great depth in order to get a better analysis of it.
This write up is amazing!! Hope to read more such pieces soon.
Don’t forget to go through my articles as well and drop in your valuable feedbacks.
#MyWordsKraft
Well, it’s a poem, not an article, but thank you.