Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE KING'S KISS, by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON Poet's Biography First Line: We rode through the shouting town Last Line: I kissed in the market place! Alternate Author Name(s): Faulks, Frederick J., Mrs. Subject(s): Happiness; King Kong; Love; Passion; Joy; Delight | ||||||||
WE rode through the shouting town; She clung to the edge of the crowd Like a crescent moon slipped down The stormy black of a cloud. Scarce missing my horse's feet By a turn of the hand and head; And O, but her face was sweet, And O, but her mouth was red! I stooped from the saddle swift As a swooping hawk through the brine Pierces to strike and lift, And I touched her lips with mine. For a second's fleeting space I captured the flame of her eyes, The quick, hot blush of her face, Her wondering, mute surprise. But a look, a touch, and then -- Spurred on to the thundering Of the thousand cries of men Who hailed their anointed king. Was she maiden, was she wife, Was she wanton, or bold or shy? What matter, we plucked from life An ecstasy -- she and I. In the moment's little space Or for well or ill was it done -- The girl of the market place And the crowned king were one. In purple the young Queen goes -- Like a flower of snow, her face; Ah me, for the wild red rose I kissed in the market place! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STUDY OF HAPPINESS by KENNETH KOCH SO MUCH HAPPINESS by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE CROWD CONDITIONS by JOHN ASHBERY I WILL NOT BE CLAIMED by MARVIN BELL THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#21): 1. ABOUT THE DEAD MAN'S HAPPINESS by MARVIN BELL A BOOK OF CELTIC VERSE (TO SEUMAS MACMANUS) by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON |
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