Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HAUNTED HOUSE, by GEORGE SYLVESTER VIERECK Poet's Biography First Line: I lay beside you ... On your lips the while Last Line: I hear strange voices calling through the night. Subject(s): Beauty; Ghosts; Kisses; Love; Supernatural; Vision | ||||||||
I lay beside you . . . on your lips the while Hovered, most strange . . . the mirage of a smile, Such as a minstrel lover might have seen Upon the visage of some antique queen -- Flickering like flame, half choked by wind and dust, Weary of all things saving song and lust. How many days and years and lovers' lies Gave you your knowledge? You are very wise And tired, yet insatiate to the last. These things I thought, but said not; and there passed Before my vision in voluptuous quest, The pageant of the lovers who possessed Your soul and body even as I possess, Who marked your passion in its nakedness And all your love-sins when your love was new. They saw as I your quivering breast, and drew Nearer to the consuming flame that burns Deep to the marrow of my bone, and turns My heart to love even as theirs who knew From head to girdle each sweet curve of you, Each little way of loving. No caress, But apes the part of former loves. Ah yes, Even thus your hand toyed in the locks of him Who came before me. Was he fair of limb Or very dark? What matter, with such lures You snared the heart of all your paramours! To-night I feel the presence of the others, Your lovers were they and are now my brothers And I have nothing that has not been theirs, No single bloom the tree of passion bears They have not plucked. Beloved, can it be? Is there no gift that you reserve for me -- No loving kindness or no subtle sin, No secret shrine that none has entered in, Whither no mocking memories pursue Love's wistful pilgrim? I am weary too, With weariness of all your lovers, and when I follow in the ways of other men, I know each spot of your sweet body is A cross, the tombstone of some perished kiss. With all its beauty and its faultless grace Your body, dearest, is a haunted place. When I did yield to passion's swift demand, One of your lovers touched me with his hand. And in the pang of amorous delight I hear strange voices calling through the night. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MERCY SEAT by NORMAN DUBIE TOO BRIGHT TO SEE by LINDA GREGG NORMAL LIGHT by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER LANDSCAPES (FOR CLEMENT R. WOOD) by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE VISION TEST by MONA VAN DUYN FREED FROM ANOTHER CONTEXT by ELEANOR WILNER A BALLAD OF ST. VITUS by GEORGE SYLVESTER VIERECK |
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