Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SALOME, by HARRIET GRAY BLACKWELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SALOME, by                    
First Line: I wish that I had seen her when she danced
Last Line: That bore the holy symbol of the lamb.
Subject(s): Salome (1st Century A.d.)


I wish that I had seen her when she danced:
A living flame in so much candlelight,
Bright-colored breasts of humming-birds enhanced
The sandals that she wore on that mad night.
White peacocks spread their tails in lacy fans
An ivory filigree to match her grace,
Salome, victim of her mother's plans,
Bowed low and smilingly unveiled her face.

I cannot think that she was wholly bad --
And if good John the Baptist had possessed
The gentle patience that his Master had
He might have saved her soul; with sins confessed
Salome could have held an oriflamb
That bore the holy symbol of the lamb.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net