I knew a woman, lovely in her bones,
When small birds sighed, she would sigh back at them;
Ah, when she moved, she moved more ways than one:
The shapes a bright container can contain!
Of her choice virtues only gods should speak,
Or English poets who grew up on Greek
(I'd have them sing in a chorus, cheek to cheek).
How well her wishes went! She stroked my chin,
She taught me Turn, and Counter-turn, and Stand;
She taught me Touch, that undulant white skin;
I nibbled meekly from her proffered hand;
She was the sickle; I, poor I, the rake,
Coming behind her for her pretty sake
(But what prodigious mowing we did make).
Love likes a gander, and adores a goose:
Her full lips pursed, the errant notes to seize;
She played it quick, she played it light and loose;
My eyes, they dazzled at her flowing knees;
Her several parts could keep a pure repose,
Or one hip quiver with a mobile nose
(She moved in circles, and those circles moved).
Let seed be grass, and grass turn into hay:
I'm martyr to a motion not my own;
What's freedom for? To know eternity.
I swear she cast a shadow white as stone.
But who would count eternity in days?
These old bones live to learn her wanton ways:
(I measure time by how a body sways).
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proferred
isn't it proffered ?
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for artaudx
Thanks for picking up the typo - i also found another whilst checking. We, as volunteers, do try our best to present poems correctly and we certainly appreciate the help of people like yourself who point out any errors. - Thanks again Von ~ Oldpoetry
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Excellent.
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I very much enjoyed this poem. I like how gracefully Roethke describes a woman's movement and form. It made me chuckle and I love the last captioned line "(I measure time by how a body sways)."
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I enjoyed this very much, especially Cher's interpretation, it explains the poem more fully. It made me giggle reading it, very well done.
Hugs Joan
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I've read elsewhere that this poem is about sex. Specifically: in Scottish, to "mow" means to have intercourse. Perhaps Roethke, when he described the woman as a sickle and "coming behind her", was referring to what we call spooning and a lovely result of that position...
And I agree, the poem is humorous too, the way Roethke describes the act(s) in so many different, thinly (or not at all) veiled ways.
Now that you know what I know, read it again and perhaps view it in a new way. Have fun! I believe, and Roethke may have believed as well, sex is supposed to be fun. hee hee -
I love this poem. It describes a dynamic movement of a woman. Its seems the Poets is looking for love in his life and he finally finds someone he has crush on. But she is too young for him to date, so the only thing to do is to admire her and keep having crush on her.
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way ayo.,walay interpretation
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'flowing knees' - there's a visual that's defies full description. L3 instantly made me think of Phenomenal Woman (Angelou) but I found the whole poem to be really funny. I'm not sure that was the intention of the author but I laughed. However, there is a strong feeling of respect for this woman too and some of the descriptions read so languidly – I love it!
Vonnie~~
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I can't help but giggle at wbiro's suggestion. I enjoyed this poem a great deal, even with the "container" reference.
♥ Kimberly -
This poem has the makings of a pop tune... minus the line that falls flat- 'shaped like a bright container'! How about 'air of a fragrant flower' or something...
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okay
good stuff
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