Page 5 - After Waterhouse
P. 5
The Lady of Mirrors
after The Lady of Shallot
Hers (alone) a vision of the world reflected
life at a remove moves by her
the turning to see truly
the movement away and into
evokes the curse
now
mirror-medallion tapestries edge
the pink blanket that lines her bier the boat
she traces each oblong link in the mooring chain
as it slips through insensible fingertips
redgold tresses caught in a breeze
three candles guttering
reclining crucifix beneath the glided prow
all is ready
The lady in white
head lifted lips parted
aching to be fully known
slips the restrictions of her tower
the nearly lifeless boat drifts
away from dissolving woods
amid mirroring waters
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The Lady of Shallot, 1888 by John William Waterhouse
