Ophelia

A woman I love and admire once said

You look like you’ve tumbled right out of

a pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, not quite dead,

blinking at my feet. Stifled by love.

You look like you’ve tumbled right out of

a willow, Ophelia. Cast down deep blues

blinking at my feet. Stifled by love

for a woman, submerged. Halo of lilies,

a willow, Ophelia, cast down. Deep blues

haunting translucent silk; drowning dress

for a woman. Submerged halo of lilies,

melancholy, feminine madness

haunting translucent silk drowning dress.

Devastation: erotic, convex. Mirrored

melancholy, feminine madness.

She grieved, gathered wildflowers and considered

devastation erotic, convex mirrored.

Someone will love this sadness away,

she grieved, gathered wildflowers and considered

Man, mellow romance, serene display.

Someone will love this sadness. Away

with this vulnerable muse. Open arms should give

man mellow romance, serene display.

A lover so modest prefers not to live

with this vulnerable muse. Open arms should give

women will. Breathe in glass to impress

a lover. So modest. Prefers not to live,

incapable of her own distress.

Women will breathe in glass to impress,

a woman I love and admire once said.

Incapable of her own distress,

a pre-Raphaelite masterpiece not quite dead.