![]() "Now Known, the Lady of Shalott"A Poem by Cassie Weller![]() 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.
© 2016 Cassie WellerAuthor's Note
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2 Reviews Added on July 27, 2016 Last Updated on July 27, 2016 Tags: poetry, art, narrative, Something More, Cassie Weller Author![]() Cassie WellerGAAboutI'm a Christian writer, wife, SAHM, and nature-lover. Advocate of deep thinking, creative ideas, and spiritual growth. I write poetry, devotions, studies, children's stories, advice columns, and more... more..Writing
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