"Now Known, the Lady of Shalott"

A first person narrative of Alfred Lord Tennyson's ballad "The Lady of Shalott"

I only yearned for sight of life,

for glimpses torn from curs-ed gaze.

What bore the witchcraft none could tell,

but still I sat, chained to its ways.

 

While peasant, lover, king, and guard

continued on as others do-

I leaned in, shackled to the web,

the tapestry of all I knew.

 

No vision past those greying walls.

No sun or stars to light mine eyes,

only the haunt of shadows still

that playful mocked me with their lies.

 

When in the mirror I would see

the days of Heaven gracing all,

The only part of play for me

was looming cloth from chair to wall.

 

Attempted still, each morning new,

I’d sing and hope the whisper told

was nothing but nightmarish dream

and life was waiting strewn with gold.

 

Yet fear and warning held me fast

to only see reflection’s spanse.

There Camelot, in gilded light,

rose up her towers’ hopeful chance.

 

I only longed to see with eyes

what others lived from day to day-

Instead, a mimic tore mine heart

and left me sickened of the stay.

 

Oh Camelot, thy glory held

as paradise to Earth from High!

Why could I not partake of thee?

So close, there weaving dreams, sat I.

 

Year after year the colors blend

from threads injustice daily gave.

The mirror- cursed and blessed for me-

my breath of life and promised grave.

 

On fateful eve, that bless-ed sin,

Sir Lancelot, in gallant stride,

unknowingly begraced the tomb

that ere before I did abide.

 

And then in tortured weakness saw

this knight emblazoned with my King…

a vision for my bleeding heart

that only spun for fleeting dream.

 

At once, without a thought or wait

I fled from shackled, mirrored wall.

My eyes beheld the flit of love

and all from sight my hope did fall.

 

From side to side the mirror cracked,

revealing fate that I had feared.

The curse that bound me to that room,

now broken time and dying neared.

 

The hour had come, too long postponed,

when dark would grip my feeble life.

No days were spent as Lady fair-

of mother or of loving wife.

 

Embracing all I knew to come,

fled I to blessed shore below-

for though none ever called my name,

I would not leave this world unknown.

 

Affixed a cross before the helm,

for only Savior guides the way.

The light of life, amidst the dark-

a flickering of candle play.

 

My fears subsided as I saw

the world I never knew before,

and drifted on in restful sea

the Lady saw her Heaven’s door.

 

I dared not look in strength of days

for curse withheld the joy of sight.

And never love had rescued me

from numbing pain and daily fight.

 

My name, engraved before the prow,

so all would know in Camelot-

the one whose shackled soul was freed...

Forever, Lady of Shalott.

Author's Note

You may want to read the original poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "The Lady of Shalott" to understand the backstory. Art piece: "The Lady of Shalott" by John William Waterhouse.

Reviews

[Inject Positivity]

Kind of speechless work!!!

The word choices and the way the poem reflects the magical vibes of the Poet's words is amazing... The whole poem glorifies an outstanding imagery, with amazing presentation and poetic skill... The picture compliments the poem perfectly... Very well done frnd... A masterpiece tribute to the great poet...

Sincerely
Dhiman

[Cassie Weller]

Wow thank you so much Dhiman! It was such a wonderful piece to write... I love this piece of artwork too. Thank you for the amazing encouragement. :)

[Inject Positivity]

I must be honest, I was thrilled when I read it, I have hardly read poems like this, most of the poems are very different from what you have written, it's a kind of write that gives the reader a chance to visit the poetic world of the old age... Beautiful...

[Cassie Weller]

Awww thank you. I write a little differently than I think a lot do... I often like to blend modern and ancient voice. Not all the time- but it is fun when I do. :)

[Pete]

Absolutely beautiful. So peaceful & longing. A wonderful testimony of faith & redemption. The imagery is stunning - both the pic & the writing.

[Cassie Weller]

Thank you so much Pete- it was so fun to write.