Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MA DEESSE, by RICHARD SOLOMON GEDNEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MA DEESSE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Her brow, - no language can express
Last Line: Aught of angel-perfectness!
Subject(s): Angels; Hearts; Kisses; Lips; Love


Her brow,—no language can express
The beauty of its perfectness!
"The polished ivory" 's trite and old,
"The blue-veined marble" 's glacial cold,
"The lily" 's of too death-like hue,
"The snowdrift"—I must leave 't to you!
There is no language can express
The beauty of such perfectness!....
Her eyebrows, delicate and slight,
Are finely arched o'er eyes whose light
Revealeth all her angel-soul.
Eyes! Not a gem i' the starry stole
That robeth night, can hold a claim
To vie with them, though but in name;
And if I only call them "stars,"
'Tis want of power, not will, debars,—
For language hath no power to express
The beauty of such perfectness!....
Auburn lashes, soft and drooping,
Like a spirit's robes when stooping
In the sunshine over earth,
Gently cloud each glance's birth. ....
Rose leaves, lilies, interlying,
Paint her cheeks with God's own dyeing;
Yet I know not,—rather say I,
If I may retract it—may I?
Leaves of lilies gently tinged
With soft rose-bloom, sunshine fringed,—
But no language can express
The beauty of such perfectness!....
Her lips,—if I have failed before,
Can I hope here to prosper more?—
Enzone the tiniest fairy mouth
That ere was seen of mortal growth;—
Yet not too small to kiss. Those lips—
Wishes be still!—I say those lips—
It will not do!—my fancy slips
Beyond my sovereignty, and flings
Restraint from her light-pinioned wings,
And will not think of aught but "kiss"!
And that to which it rhymeth, "bliss"!
Surely a life's devotion spent
To gain that heaven, were but lent
To be returnèd manifold
In happiness more worth than gold!
But I've not described them,—can I?
Much I doubt it!—Though the many
Symbols in bright poet-land
Are indeed a radiant band,
Language hath no power t' express
The beauty of such perfectness!....
Round that fairy mouth there lingers,
Graven by some angel's fingers,
Earnest, god-like, virtuous will,
Awing everything of ill
That within her sphere approaches,
By that angel look's reproaches. ....
Little teeth, like pearls in whiteness. ....
Light brown hair, whose softness, brightness,
Smoothness, silkiness of texture,
Would, if seen, have surely vexed your
Equanimity of feeling,
Twining round your heart, appealing
By its angel-beauty to you,
Thoughts of heaven thrilling through you!....
Oh, for one soft silken tress!
All my heart's deep tenderness
Should be vented on 't in blisses,
Tender, holy words and kisses!
Ever at my heart reposing,
'Twould that heart 'gainst evil closing,
Make more worthy of the presence
That now fills it with its pleasance!....
Language soundeth very faintly,
Speaking of this being saintly!
Tongue may not have power to express
Aught of angel-perfectness!





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