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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PAVANE by ELEANOR ALLEN

First Line: BESIDE THE AMBER POOLS OF SLEEP
Last Line: THE WATER RIPPLES GOLD.
Subject(s): DANCING & DANCERS; LAKES; POOLS; PONDS;

Beside the amber pools of sleep
the water ripples cold,
while on the smooth leaves dark as jade,
the water trickles gold ....
Here in this shade of tree and root,
where water-gods set emerald foot,
the hyacinthine nymphs of night
in garments gleaming chrysolite,
move out in ghostly, gold pavane,
with faces lost and amber-wan.
As passionless as polished coral
they move in dance against the laurel.
In stately dance, austere and slow,
as light as early, fallen snow,
they pause and bow against the trees,
and then move on in ghostly frieze ...
Beside the amber pools of sleep
the water ripples gold.



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