Botticelli had no hand in this scene,
though the woman’s heavenly body
had once been likened
to that of the Love goddess,
stepping on to earthly shores.
Her almost divine nakedness
was also half-hidden,
though not to save the beholder
from blindness or madness.,
but to disguise her vulnerable beauty.
Her untimely end merited no ethereal cloak
proffered by a goddess of Spring,
instead she wore a paper shroud,
torn, as her spirit had been,
ephemeral, as was her life.
No golden scallop boat
had borne her ashore,
fanned by the Zephyrs’ breath.
Her chosen shell lay cradled like a child
against her breast.
If we press our ears to its nacreous lips
we may hear her secrets,
catch the scent of lovers past,
or taste her salt tears,
as we lift it to sound her passing.
© Marilyn Brindley
Image by Francesca Woodman, provided as a creative writing prompt, by Tess at The Mag. The Birth of Venus provided by Sandro Boticelli at the Uffizi Gallery.
"A paper shroud." Yes. And that paper shroud appears so often throughout her work.
ReplyDeleteVery nice description of her untimely passing ~ I specially like the last stanza ~ Lovely share ~
ReplyDeleteYour words for this are like milk to a baby, and if I were the mother of such a sad, lost woman as you so eloquently describe, showing her beauty, on the tail of her burdens, you strike the poet in all who read this. Your line, "though the woman's heavenly body- had once been likened to that of a love goddess" sets her stage so magically. A very nice poem, and a sweet tribute just for her.
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully you let our imaginations run free as we compare and contrast these images and the poem. It is beguiling how the contemporary artist and the 'old master'have conveyed their interpretations of female beauty. Vulnerable and yet with a hidden strength.
This is such a fabulous read. You have made the sacred feminine the 'special' being and yes, Goddess, she ought to always have been. It's gentle and rich in sad but lovely imagery, from the ethereal cloak to the salt of her tears.
ReplyDeleteI am awed by this write. Truly is beautiful.
So much beauty and poignancy.."to disguise her vulnerable beauty"...She didn't know the power of her gift...the immortal Venus.
ReplyDelete" Nacreous", i love that, nacre - eous, but whi is "Marilyn Brindley", ?, she writes well
ReplyDeleteA beautiful rendition of the story of this Mag - especially the last stanza. Well done you.:)
ReplyDeleteYou put it much better than I did! thanks-
ReplyDeleteHey, that is GOOD! love it.
ReplyDeletelovely tribute for a young, talented and tormented woman.
ReplyDeleteWow, Marilyn! Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic, Little Nell! The rhythm you have created feels like waves lapping at a rocky shore. I love the soft sensuality this rhythm gives your poem. The reference to Botticelli at the beginning, sets a classical tone for the piece. This is such a special work. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDelete'Torn as her spirit had been'. There are many words that could describe this piece. All I can say is very, very well done. A delight to read, again and again.
ReplyDeletenot to save the beholder
ReplyDeletefrom blindness or madness.,
but to disguise her vulnerable beauty....nice...but your last stanza stole the show....wow...so much wild emotion in pressing your ear to it and her passing...very nice...