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Open Poetry #9
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Entry June 22 - by Walter Benton
| Open Poetry #9 |
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Entry June 22 - by Walter Benton |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware 
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Since many of you may not be acquainted with my favorite poet - I'm taking the liberty to post one of his poems. Walter Benton (died in 1976) this is from "This is my Beloved" first published in 1943 it went into its 57th printing in 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Were I Pygmalion or God I would make you exactly as you are . . . in all dimensions. From your warm hair to your intimate toes would you be wholly in your own image. I would change nothing, add or take away. The same full red flower would model for your mouth - and from the same seashore would I bring the small translucent earshapes of your ears O the lovely throat that I could duplicate! The tender arms! I would shape your breasts the shape of the hungry little faces they are now. . . and tip them with the same quick mouths. I could not make your eyes deeper than they are - nor softer to look into . . . nor could I turn your hips, your thighs, your belly in a sweeter curve: nor indent the hollows of your loins more tenderly - or store more honey there or fire. How would I name you . . . need you ask? You know, By the scarlet and the blue you wear when love is upon you, by the yellow tongues - by the warm white fragrance . . . by the slender leaves. © Walter Benton [This message has been edited by Wilfred Yeats (edited 09-10-2000).] |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
wow! ahhhhhhhhh...... *sigh* this is wonderfully delightful and thank you very much for the introduction... what a way to start the morning... it's YUM... ! i am not familiar with Benton but will look him up and peruse more of his work... romantic poetry has never been the poetry genre i choose to read... most of it doesn't usually appeal to me, expect a few extraordinary authors (shakespeare's sonnets, for instance) but from reading this... perhaps Benton will enlighten me.  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Bill--I do love the way he writes love...thank you for sharing this. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Thank you for posting an unfamiliar but wonderful poem - a delight to read. Liz |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Bill~ This is but one of the lovely offerings of Walter Benton's works that you have so graciously shared with us. His work was published in the form of the journal of his love thoughts for the woman of his life. There is a wonderful link at http://members.tripod.com/daleedmands/verse5.html for anyone wanting to read the sensually beautiful thoughts of this author. (it has an aggravating banner that disappears for each page if you just minimize it) There is much inspiration in his words. Thanks for sharing this with us. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Doreen - I believe you'll be enamoured of his writing too Martie- He's really good - I'm glad you like Liz- His whole book (small) almost entirely delightful Marge- A poem from 10/98: Yesterday's Laughter-Yesterday's Tears In my E-Mail Where PC tips, and spam Grow and gather dust I saw a name from the past. Wonderful to read But more important Who it came from. I went through 12 grades With his older brother But five years later After some college And a stint in the army Don hundreds of miles Away at school It was Jerry became my buddy Jer and I - went cruisin' Jer and I - bar hopping Jer and I - at beach haunts. Some pictures Still stuck away somewhere. Us on the beach Me sculpting sand Jer in captain's cap Marianne (wasn't that her name?) Looking drop dead gorgeous In a bar In the lowest part of town Why did we go there? We met him He could have been a longshoreman We learned of his black belt He could have killed us He loved poetry Introduced us to Walter Benton Jer followed Don to school Miles and miles We cruised together Talking, laughing Buffalo to Detroit Detroit to Buffalo Down to the mountains We suffered each other's Romantic failures We cried alone at the successes SNADS - what is that? Church mouse in Basement apartment. Gourmet skillet dish Mashed potatoes, Canned peas, hamburger. Named for the Student Nurse's Association Dance. I slept on his couch Woke once to his lovemaking In the next room He still doesn't know Ahhh Yesterday's . . . I didn't know you knew and liked him as well - as you can see - my love goes back quite a ways - thanks for sharing the URL |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thank you Wilfred for this, and for the intro...I am in awe now and may never write again...(YEAH, right, but I'm hard-headed too) but thank you. |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
thank you, marge, for the link... i just spent some time there reading... Oh, to be loved like that!! was that woman ever lucky... brough tears to my eyes... i long for that type of love his writing is exquisite, wilfred.... i have bookmarked the site marge referenced and will go buy a book or 2 for my library... thanks again.. |
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Whisper Junior Member
since 2000-08-28
Posts 31 |
I so enjoyed this... hun. Tis the first I have read of his.. that I know of. I will remember his name.. and look for others.. and yes.. that web site is a nice bonus. Thank you for sharing.... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Wilfred~ Enjoyed the banter on Walter Benton. Knew you'd find the site awesome. *Doreen~ Is he not the ultimate romantic ????? I see so much in his work. *SIGHS* of the deepest kind. Glad everyone enjoyed the site. I also played it ... where it's read to you ..... *sighing* again ! Thanks again for sharing, Wilfred. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
Serenity- never write again? yeah sure - like I'm going to stop breathing LOL Doreen - you're not alone in your longing - trust me - I've felt that way since i first discovered WB back in 50's Whisper - Thank Marge for finding the site - I'm glad you liked the poem. Marge - I've two top favorites from Walter- the site lists 1st - my most fav - which I'd memorized ages ago - and it is first thing youread at 'my' site the second is not on the site you displayed but follows below: Entry August 22 As the world gathers momentum toward nihilation on all fronts---We walk apart, Each to his own lonely end . . . not hand in hand as lovers walk. Yet I would enter time's infinite pages more happily with you Than in the company of Christs an Dantes, . . . comets and constellations! Darling. . . before the distance widens beyond reach and sight-- Look this way; give me your hand - that the stars may say of us: The last we saw of them was when they kissed, Then beautifully naked walked as if into a sea of bright blue water -- Leaving their bodies like old clothes upon the shore. |
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