Elaine

(Sophie Anderson 1823-1903 walker Gallery Liverpool)

A funeral barge carries the cadaver of Elaine, 

supine on a bier, she is young and beautiful

A decorative blanket, embroidered in fine stitches

show flora and fauna on a background of rich gold silk

Her lengthy red hair cascades in abundant waves,

streams over a soft pillow where her head rests

Skin, deathly pale, hands cross on her chest

she clutches a white lily, a sign of purity and a letter

At the bow, her faithful servant sits, an oar in one hand,

the other screens his face as though he weeps with grief

A heraldic shield, displayed above her, and through the trees

leafy on the bank, shafts of sunlight break through

They cast brilliance over her as she floats slowly,

slowly downstream to Camelot and King Arthur's castle

Where her dear love Lancelot, a Knight of the Realm

abandoned her in favour of Guinevere, the King's wife

Lancelot will read the letter, which declares her undying love

I surmise, the expression on the windows of his soul

Author's Note

( a combination of artwork and legend)

Reviews

[Lorry]

And once again you paint such a beautiful picture with your words Christine. This reminds me of being in the Kelvingrove art gallery so many times as a child. I always saw something new in the paintings I had seen a hundred times before. Maybe thousands. Well, it is Scotland and we went every time it rained :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. I also frequent art galleries and did so as a child, but not as many times as you. I have always loved art almost as much as I love poetry. When I visited Scotland, I must have been lucky, the sun shone. Thank you for checking in.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A very nice rendering of art in words. I enjoyed the read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian, your comments appreciated.

Chris

[DIVYA]

You create a breathtaking picture with deft strokes of your pen, bringing the legend to life. A picture with all the colors of life and love, tinged by the dark solemnity of death

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA for your thoughtful review.

Chris

[DIVYA]

it is a pleasure!

[lightsong]

I love the idea of the combination, it gave Your words more excitement and made them even more alive, it's like I'm seeing it all in front of me, very well done my friend, You are great with giving voices to these artworks.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Light. It is quite uplifting to bring some of these artworks out for an airing.
read moreThank you Light. It is quite uplifting to bring some of these artworks out for an airing.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

We should treasure those artworks and legends og old. With the power of your pen and focus, you bring the gallery works alive and new. Very attentive and pure in your descriptions. I feel I'm there. Kudos.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami. These brilliant pieces of artwork are rarely seen, they so deserve an airing.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

So true. You are welcome.