Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SHE WILL LIGHT CERTAIN FIRES by SHAEMAS O'SHEEL

First Line: THIS IS HELEN
Last Line: AND TOSSING SHIPS.
Subject(s): HELEN OF TROY; MYTHOLOGY - CLASSICAL;
This is Helen,
who will launch no ships,
tho she is fair;
Who will burn no towers
tho the flame's in her hair.
But she will light
certain swift fires
that run in the veins,
She'll launch desires
that are exquisite pains.
It is too bad no king
or no poet was there
To see what I saw
framed in smouldering hair,
That troubling profile
and parted lips,
They are worth burned towers
and tossing ships.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net