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Like The Lady Of Shalott
| Open Poetry #49 |
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Like The Lady Of Shalott |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
 J.William Waterhouse (1849-1917) 'The Lady of Shalott' ... "Under tower and balcony, By garden-wall and gallery, A gleaming shape she floated by, Dead-pale between the houses high, Silent into Camelot. " (Alfred Lord Tenneyson- excerpt "The Lady Of Shalott" 1842) * Like The Lady Of Shalott. . Those who loved her, then and still Submit to earth their sorrows-tears; (Think) "If I had circumstanced a plot, To stay her from that narrow boat She'd still be here, on shore, with us." . But board...she thought...she must Just like the lady of Shallot. . What now, for we here-left to morn Whose-blood in veins, like strings, She wove in patterned-tapestries To clothe, and warm our hearts? . But go...she thought...she must Just like the lady of Shallot . The river flows, and sweeps the bend- Her boat has breached; Yet still, and silent, on she drifts, Hark!, From distance, slowly, sound approaches.. . It is her voice, in Celtic pipes In low-chant strains, she speaks In bagpipe wheeze, her last request For home... her spirit seeks. . The many towered Camelot.... Just like the Lady of Shallot *********************************************** This poem was inspired by "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred Lord Tennyson, It is dedicated to my friend Tammy...( a victim of suicide) . She reminded me of the mythical "Lady Of Shallott". Tammy loved to sail in a one person sailboat, which was the centerpiece at her memorial service. I filled it with perennial saliva's, blues and purples, (her favorite colors) in several shades, which I planted at her mothers house, a couple days after the service. I scratched this poem down roughly, during her memorial service. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Beautifully rendered, Ice, although the dark theme of the poem gave me moments of sadness. You said she was a victim of suicide, did it happen in the boat? I assume it did, especially after reading Alfred Lord Tenneyson's excerpt of his poem. ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
"You said she was a victim of suicide, did it happen in the boat?" No, Jerry...she killed herself at home..The victim of suicide because of a love triangle.. She was having an affair, and was found out.. Killed herself in self befence, I guess..But she had other mental problems too. Tammy and I would talk about some of our favorite poets, Neruda, Rilka, Rumi.. She was always sensuous,. should have remained a free spirit, and never should have married. Thanks Jerry, for reading and the reply. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thanks for clearing that up, Ice, and then some. Tragic. ~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~ |
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jjote Senior Member
since 2002-12-25
Posts 1088Ontario, Canada |
suicide is a topic so much in my mind nowadays - with Canada making it legal for doctors to assist people medically to do it. I have a close family member who has a serious disability, and this is also in his mind. It is so sad when someone comes to that point and who are we to judge the whys and wherefores anyone is thinking of doing it. Liked the poem which touches so delicately and sadly on your friend's passing |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Excellent tribute ice. Too bad the consequences were such. However, the mind is another organ in the body that can be sick or suffer damage. The more we learn the better off we'll be. Nice gesture this writing of yours in that style. Eric true love never looks after it's own interests |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Thank you jj, and Eric. This happened about three years ago.. The person was brilliant, and could recite Rumi poems, one after another. When I heard the bagpipes approach the outdoor memorial, I heard her voice in them.. gave me chills , so I grabbed a napkin and wrote down notes.. Thank you for reading, and the kind replies. ford "Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance." |
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Cari Member Posts 411 Englnand |
It has nothing to do with your poem friend, but Tennyson, I have to confess, is not a favourite of mine. Too much stuff he wrote supported the Victorian establishment of the time. Though he was the Poet Laureate it seems he had no objection of living in their bubble. Now that’s over, your poem resurrected my thoughts on love and relationships which played to some extent on her suicide. I may get shouted down, but I felt for a long time as to why can’t we take a more relaxed view on relationships? Why must it be so damned intense, the vision of the perfect girl/guy image that both are totally incompetent of living up to and that later gives way to disappointment? My mother gave me one bit of advice that I remembered ‘Never place your entire happiness on someone’s shoulders. The burdens far too heavy for them to bear’ I liked the vision of the drifting boat it brought visions of Ophelia to me for some reason. Though the poem deals with tragedy it gives a feeling of acceptance with her final journey to a mythical place. Camelot indeed. Cari. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Cari Thank you for reading, and the reply.. "It has nothing to do with your poem friend, but Tennyson, I have to confess, is not a favorite of mine." I used Tennysons depiction of the story because I it seems that Most people that think of "The lady of shalott" have not read, or heard of the much better (my opinion) illustration of the myth, in Mallory's word portrait of the story in "Le Morte d'Arthur." I agree, that Tennyson sided with, and approved of the "Victorian establishment" and was friendly with them. I think he had to because of his position, and circumstance.. They were the ones that were buying his groceries. "... your poem resurrected my thoughts on love and relationships which played to some extent on her suicide." To instill thought-from my own mind, and to convey it to the reader is my goal--Thank you. This is, I think, a excellent format (poetry) for delivery of what can happen to humans in relationships...both in a modern sense, and historical. The arthurian myths are not purely mythological... they should be (again, my opinion) looked at as learning tools for grownups, and not blasphemized by pop culture (Disney) that dresses up Mickey Mouse in a Merlin outfit, gives him a wand, and cartoonizes The reason I wrote this is because of the boat ,and its relationship between the myth, and my friends life, and death. And also because of the didactic presence in the Authorian tale, the one with knife stabs, and the twisting of that weapon by the process of love being rejected-in a plural sense. Elaine the fair, and Lancelot---Lancelot, Guinivere, Arthur, stories, within stories, that in my mind relate to the reason for my friends final act, an act I labeled, self defence. The purple flowers that I put in the boat, also have meaning. It was her broken heart, Purple being the color of morning.. And like in the myth, she was dead on the water, winding her way towards Camelot..where things are perfect, and her Lancelot will welcome her. Thanks again for reading. ford [This message has been edited by ice (03-11-2016 05:23 PM).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Hello Ford...so good to see you here. I stop by now and then but haven't posted for some time. Thank you for being such a good friend to your friend. Hopefully the flowers at her grave, then planted, and this special poem gave peace to someone, especially you. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Hello, friend Martie.... :-) It has been a while since I have posted..started agin this winter. I am still active in my Landscape buisness, so posting might not be as often. Thank you for reading, and the reply. Looking for something from you, even an old one will do... ford aka ice "Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance." Carl Sandburg |
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effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity |
A masterpiece in Ice carving. My all time favorite poem by one of my poetic idols. I have an old painting of The Lady in question which I'll try and post on this thread. May Tammy recline peacefully for all time in the many towered Camelot "Ignorance is the Enemy...." |
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Ari Squire Member Posts 488 In The Phallus Lane |
The 'Lady' was always a favorite image of mine though I know so little of poets and poetry in the finer, more articulate sense. How you felt of your friend and her life however, are well reflected in your words. We all should have a devoted friend like you. More feelings and fewer words please |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
effj-- Thank you. This was a hard one for me..but I had to do it ...glad you liked it. ************************************* Ari Thank you for reading and the kind reply.. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
"I filled it with perennial saliva's, blues and purples, (her favorite colors) in several shades, which I planted at her mothers house, a couple days after the service. I scratched this poem down roughly, during her memorial service." I loved the poem and what you did after, planting the flowers in here mother's garden. You are a man of nature and a man of soul. As my daughter took your friend's method and hastened her death, I understand that also. I wrote to every one in her address book and shared her life.It was a hard time but I learned to realize it was not a selfish act but a brave one, for she carried too many burdens and her health reasons gave the added push to act upon her thoughts. Best to you for being who you are. Jo Perry |
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