This poem is my fifth tribute to an English poet. This is in memory of the haunting lyrical ballad by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 -1892), 'The Lady of Shalott'.
'The Lady of Shalott' tells the story of a young noble woman imprisoned in a tower on an island
near Camelot. She can only watch the outside world through a mirror and
must weave what she sees. She has heard that if she looks at Camelot directly,
she will be cursed.
This is one of
Tennyson’s most famous and beloved poems. It was originally written in 1832 and
was published in 1842.
***
A medieval maiden near Camelot,
is cursed beyond repair;
In hues of reflected images sought,
weaves perpetual webs of despair;
The lonesome lady of Shalott
seeks redemption fair;
Loss in battle of wills well-fought,
a cracked mirror doth impare
From her tower, she departs distraught,
pale attire she doth wear,
Embarks she, on journey untaught
a quest beyond compare
A buoyant boat, she floats for a naught,
heavy heart barren & bare;
In whirls of water she is caught
clutched in a quagmire's glare.
Freezes she, in grasp of a deathly draught,
long before she spies a lair.
Found she is, her skin taut
& eyes in sightless stare.
They bow in grief, bereft of thought
& bow their heads in prayer.
A quandary she stays, in poetry wrought,
eternal in her story unfair
A paradigm of Providence's pitiless plot,
a memory, in millions' minds aware
And thus remains the Lady of Shalott
a testimony, to Tennyson's matchless flair.
***
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