Fair Lady of Shallot

A Poem by Fran Marie

Lady oh fair lady of Shallot
    hath thy love left thee forsaken
          and bereaved of what is naught

Lady, oh fair lady of Shallot
   willows weep for thee in scanty breeze
           along deep river lots

Lady,oh fair lady of Shallot
     the four winds have blown and shaken
             the blue violets of forget-me- nots

Lady oh fair lady of Shallot
     ride the river's smooth wave
           downstream to camelot

Lady oh fair lady of Shallot
      of heart and soul be brave
               to fare fate's battle wrought

© 2009 Fran Marie

Author's Note

Inspiration from Lord Alfred Tennyson's (1842) poem ~THere the `Lady of Shalott `

My Review

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Featured Review

Rick Puetter

Dear Fran,

A classic subject, to be sure, reminisent of Tennyson's classic poem (there the "Lady of Shalott"). Nicely written and independent of the original themes, originally based on the Italian romance "Donna di Scalotta" (Lady of Scalott), and strongly woven into Arthurian legend.

"willows weep for thee in scanty breeze", wonderfully reflect the cursed life of Tennyson's "Lady of Shalott" without bowing to the original text. Finely woven.

Kindest regards,

Rick

Posted 15 Years Ago

1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Reviews

barleygirl

Not being a fan of repetition, I read your poem a second time by skipping the first line of each verse & just seeing how it felt to go thru the rest all in a flow . . . I loved it! I am not a reader of much of this type of poetry, so I can't comment, except to say that your words have been chosen to have lyrically flowing sound & I love that part especially (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 4 Years Ago

4 Years Ago

Thanks Margie
,I understand
whatever works
for the reader is
alright wit.. read more

Pete

kudos. such a powerful elegance. a gentle flow to a class conclusion. nothing greater than to stand up to fate in battle. outstanding and nourishing ... :)

Posted 4 Years Ago

4 Years Ago

Awhh..thanks Pete ; so glad for your visit..I so appreciate your kind words on my poetry;

Coyote Poetry

A wonderful poem dear Fran. I have many books of the classic writers. I need to read again. Lately Hemingway and Salinger, I have been reading. I liked the old fashion feel of the words. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

Posted 4 Years Ago

View 0 more replies

4 Years Ago

thanks John for reading
I too need to re read many of the classics
I so appreciate y.. read more

4 Years Ago

You are welcome dear Fran. Donne and Dryden are my favorite.

4 Years Ago

I have 2 leatherbound gold leaf complete works on Poe and Shakespeare my faves ..
So many mor.. read more

emmajoy

To dare emulate (rather than copy) Tennyson is amazing, and, even more amazing is the fact that you've created the most beautiful phrasing and telling of this famous old tale, she who knew no bounds in reaching her admirer, Lancelot. There's something particularly special .. visual, about your third stanza..

Posted 4 Years Ago

4 Years Ago

Awhh.. thank you dear Emmajoy..so glad
for your visit..I would never copy anyone
espec.. read more

DIVYA

"Lady,oh fair lady of Shallot
the four winds have blown and shaken
the blue violets of forget-me- nots "

Breathtaking beauty in this verse...I love the classic elegance, the lovely composition and perfect rhyming scheme of this poem. Awesome poetry Fran...

Posted 4 Years Ago

4 Years Ago

Thanks Divya..im so glad you enjoyed
and thankful for your reviews..yes the
*forget me.. read more

Richard🖌

So wonderfully laid, Dear Fran, in your own quaintly beauteous hand. 🍂

"The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson; 1833 … a tale of Elaine of Astolat, a young noblewoman imprisoned in a tower on a river island near Camelot.
This four-part Lyrical Ballad was my favorite poem when but a callow lad (along with "IF" by Rudyard Kipling), and the first to truly open my heart and make me weep with tender sadness … still, I cannot read it without welling-up.

Fran, I think you've done and exemplary job of condensing the main essences of this twenty verse classical piece into a contemporary suite of Enclosed Tersets of beautifully creative "a,x,a" monorhymes. Then, skillfully presented in entertaining offset verses … simply brilliant!

My sole suggestion would be to display Waterhouse's painting above your poem, to allow its amazing ambiance to set the page aglow (typos: cap; Camelot, commas after Lady, and sp; Shalott). : )

You've no idea how thrilling it is to read the work of a poetess who can take poetry, make it her own, and express in such a way even the most discerning reader will have no choice but to sighhh! Love the title and deft use of King's Language, as-well.

I'm jealous, but completely sated … thank you, Fran! ⁓ Richard 🍃

Posted 4 Years Ago

4 Years Ago

good afternoon Richard..I'm so pleased
you stopped by to read and review my
poem...i s.. read more

4 Years Ago

Fran, you make poetry a pleasure. : )

Chris Shaw

Your inspiration for this beautiful poem I note comes from Tennyson. His poem was one of the first I was introduced to and at one time I could recite off by heart many verses. Your posted image is a wonderful piece of artwork. Who could fail to be moved by the tragic tale of the Lady of Shalott and the curse that was placed on her. Floating down to Camelot in death in an open barge, I will always have a soft spot for this poem because my Grandad would recite it to me. Of course, she was much admired by Lancelot. I very much like your lines Fran-Marie. You have taken me on a nostalgia trip, back to my childhood and my Grandad. I thank you for that. I love your descriptive lines.

Chris