I discovered Amy Lowell when Dorothy Gillman quoted from her poem, Patterns, in her novel, Caravan. It's a lovley poem, and sorry if this makes this comment to long, but here's the last verse:
In Summer and in Winter I shall walk Up and down The patterned garden-paths In my stiff, brocaded gown. The squills and daffodils Will give place to pillared roses, and to asters, and to snow. I shall go Up and down, In my gown. Gorgeously arrayed, Boned and stayed. And the softness of my body will be guarded from embrace By each button, hook, and lace. For the man who should loose me is dead, Fighting with the Duke in Flanders, In a pattern called a war. Christ! What are patterns for?
Your comment is just the right lengthkellyrfinemanSeptember 28 2007, 15:10:02 UTC
Dear anyonymous commenter -- thank you for your post.
I went to read the whole poem after you posted the final stanza. It is astonishing. Full of imagery (as one would expect), but with a deft use of subtle rhyme to create a pattern, so that form meets function. And oh, the many different meanings of pattern that are encompassed there.
I'd only read one or two of her poems until I started casting about for this week's Poetry Friday topic - I'm far from a Lowell expert. But I've now read at least a dozen pieces, and they are all staggeringly, heartachingly good.
Comments 28
-- Jules, 7-Imp
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In Summer and in Winter I shall walk
Up and down
The patterned garden-paths
In my stiff, brocaded gown.
The squills and daffodils
Will give place to pillared roses, and to asters, and to snow.
I shall go
Up and down,
In my gown.
Gorgeously arrayed,
Boned and stayed.
And the softness of my body will be guarded from embrace
By each button, hook, and lace.
For the man who should loose me is dead,
Fighting with the Duke in Flanders,
In a pattern called a war.
Christ! What are patterns for?
Reply
I went to read the whole poem after you posted the final stanza. It is astonishing. Full of imagery (as one would expect), but with a deft use of subtle rhyme to create a pattern, so that form meets function. And oh, the many different meanings of pattern that are encompassed there.
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I was the anonymous one--I always am forgetting that I have to sign my name in live journal world...
Charlotte
(of Charlotte's Library)
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I was the anonymous poster--I'm always forgetting I have to sign my name in live journal world! I'm glad you like the poem.
Charlotte
(of Charlotte's Library)
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Thank you for introducing me to Amy Lowell. I've heard of her, and I probably met her in college, but this is the first time I've actually read her.
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And don't you hope your obituary has something about molten earth and flames???! Wow...
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