This piece is written off the painting entitled 'Ophelia' by John William Waterhouse
tinyurl.com/8j9pr

Art work produces feelings that go beyond what is merely the subject matter painted on the canvas.



Sweet Ophelia

Sad regret plays fully here with fear and haunting madness

For gently contoured features, smoothed like finest marble
Are yet just as cold to fingers touch as death.

Already, has this life begun to ebb itself way
To fill the empty shell of impending insanity.

The fate of sweet Ophelia to be watched from yonder bridge
To stand within her own world, wretched and so alone.

For there shall be no companion on this, her final journey

The calming scent of morning dew, as fragrant as Oregano
Or mint tea upon those rose petal lips

Is the colour of the waterside grasses
Where steadying herself against ancient Willow

With tentative step her dainty foot is placed

And with free hand she lifts her skirt from dampened grass
That its hem will escape capture by the thorns of the clinging Dog Rose

That, in vain hope of delaying her progress, attempts to snag the cloth

And there around the top of her dress
Are found the finest of stitches

To adorn the soft flesh about her delicate neck

Faint as lines traced by inquisitive fingers
Across the canvas on which are painted all desires.

She wears her gown like the warmth of love's embrace, clinging

So closely to her form that tender hand upon her slender waist
Would ne'er even detect its presence

For its satin touch so mirrors her porcelain flesh.

And in every falling fold of material
Are the soft colours of nights spend in wakeful lament

Upon crushed velvet bed sheets,

Such are the folds within her dress
For there is found the hint of subtle lilac

And there woven within her flowing hair
Are the fragile poppy blooms and fragrant daisies

Petals as cool as spring water centred with the warmth of sunshine

For in their ethereal majesty, is their mistress mirrored

With gentleness
With innocence of spirit
Purity of thought
And most loyal love




Poetry by blondeoverblue
Read 545 times
Written on 2005-07-11 at 00:50

Tags Sadness 

dott Save as a bookmark (requires login)
dott Write a comment (requires login)
dott Send as email (requires login)
dott Print text


chasingtheday The PoetBay support member heart!
arrr yes - just looked i have seen this pic before though i wouldn't of known who it was by without your words.

aye to arwork going beyond, as with poetry too, we have thoughts in mind when writing, but others can look and find something completely different - ok onto the poem.

exquisite - a beautiful descriptive piece of poetry that is haunting in its elegance. i have read hamlet a few times and have seen the ploght of ophelia in different light with reading - it is good to read a piece on another's thoughts. very well done.
2005-07-11