(no subject)

[mamculuna]

Rah's most recent poem reminded me of this one which I've always loved, even though it doesn't strike me in a personal way these days:

They Flee from Me
Thomas Wyatt

They flee from me that sometime did me seek
With naked foot stalking in my chamber.
I have seen them gentle tame and meek
That now are wild and do not remember
That sometime they put themselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range
Busily seeking with a continual change.

Thanked be fortune, it hath been otherwise
Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall,
And she me caught in her arms long and small;
And therewithal sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said, Dear heart, how like you this?

It was no dream, I lay broad waking.
But all is turned thorough my gentleness
Into a strange fashion of forsaking;
And I have leave to go of her goodness
And she also to use newfangleness.
But since that I so kindely am served,
I would fain know what she hath deserved.

Comments

[rahael.livejournal.com]

He's just so good!

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

And his rhythms and images, and even language, seem so much more like something you'd find now. I like the way he breaks our expectations.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

Thank you.