Okay, I admit that I’ve chosen this one of Marie Marshall’s Gothic poems in part because I love the picture she paired with it. The arched window which suggests the shape of the moon. The checkered floor. The drape of her gown, so detailed that I can see even from a black-and-white painting that it’s a particularly sumptuous velvet — and, by the way, a dress I would totally wear.
***
The crystal ball
Where has the seeress lost herself?
In what relentless seas
Sails she, with helmsman sprite or elf,
To seek elusive ease?
What worlds are cupped within her hands?
And where her steady gaze
Falls, are there rich, exotic lands
In sunlit ancient days?
Her lips that seem to wish a kiss,
Her beauty gowned in red –
Is all her being wrapt in bliss,
Or does she see the dead?
See there! Her grimoire and her wand –
Behind, a grinning skull –
Are spirits summoned to respond,
Or are her senses dull?
What knowledge, what enlightenment
Seeks she in realms arcane?
Beware, my sweet! All’s transient,
Your loveliness will wane!
Whatever is the magic lore
Whose secrets now entice
You through a dark and one-way door –
You pay too high a price!
So lady, lay that lore aside,
Forswear your mantic ball
For mind’s health, beauty’s morningtide –
Or, hazarding, lose all!
Sappho's Torque 
Wonderful poem. Loved reading it aloud – and yes, a great picture to go with it.
Randy
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Hello Randy. I know Angélique will not mind my replying while she is away. Thank you for your kind words. This little experiment in rhyme and metre – my collection of Gothic poems – was written in 2010. It was great fun to compose. I have been writing since about 2004, including prose and poetry. Most of my poetry neither rhymes not scans. I like to experiment.
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I know. I have been a fan(follower) of your work for years now.
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I think I need to add Marie Marshall to my list of favorite poets. Thank you for introducing me. And yes, that dress is definitely velvet!
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In Angélique’s absence, thank you. Since 2010 I haven’t used rhyme and metre a great deal, but you can find out about my two poetry books at my web site mairibheag.com
M.
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Beautiful picture for a beautiful poem! 🙂
https://readandreview2016.wordpress.com/
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