Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PICTURE BOOK QUEEN, by NATHALIA CRANE First Line: She dwelt in a picture book palace Last Line: To tell of the end of the tale. | ||||||||
She dwelt in a picture book palace By a border all printed in red, In the splendor of primitive candor, A queen who had never been wed. Her damsels she tied to her sandals With promptings and girdles of gelt, And not till the very last chapter Could anyone guess what she felt. Because of her delicate largess They saw not what might have been seen -- The page from the Porphery Mountains Who served but a picture book queen. His eyes were two sapphires but bigger, His lips bore the sign of the plum, His mission to straighten a cushion -- To gaze, and forever be dumb. The summer began oh, so simply, The minstrels were issued new lutes, But late in July a squire dozing Grew spurs on his Cordovan boots. And presently knights went a-wooing, The witches were working in shifts, Betrothals won greetings with leaseholds And other encouraging gifts. The fountains were cluttered with philtres -- Oh who could have done such a thing? The sages dispensed with the ages, Each scullery girl got a ring. The weddings were set for a saint's eve, The Pryor addressed the brigade, In the distance the Porphery Mountains Smiled down on that bridal parade. Her Majesty heard from a tower That honeymoon multitude cheer. In the splendor of primitive candor She waved to each pillion and spear. The cavalcade slowly departed, The darkness deleted the vale, And then came a page with a candle To tell of the end of the tale. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BERKLEY COMMON by NATHALIA CRANE CASTLE 'BILL' by NATHALIA CRANE CASTLE WILLIAM by NATHALIA CRANE |
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