Percy Shelley

Poets post their works-in-progress here for crit and commentary. We want poets who are serious about getting their work published.
Post Reply
Message
Author
BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Percy Shelley

#1 Post by BobBradshaw » 13 Sep 2019, 09:52

Percy Shelley


Mary confessed to me
how in St. Pancras' cemetery--
her mother's grave a stone's throw away--
Percy pulled her down, moaning

and swearing a loyalty as steadfast
as the sky is to land and sea.

She was sixteen,
and afraid to ask, Had he pledged the same
to his pregnant wife, Harriet?

As they crossed the Channel,
what did Mary think of Percy's invitation
for me joining them? Was she too seasick
and in love to think clearly…

and she already with child,
though who knew at the time?

How many nights did Percy come home,
his hair saturated with a scent
reminiscent of mine
or some acquaintance’s?

Even as Mary lost two children--Clara
and William--within a year,
Percy was touching me
or someone else furtively.

How can I expect you, dear reader,
to sympathize with me?

Your heartthrob Byron
didn't give a rat's ass either
for my 18 year old heart
once I was pregnant...

Betrayed, haven't I too
spent mornings retching
as Percy returned home,
from god knows where, to Mary--

always Mary--his clothes
a meadow of perfumes?

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Percy Shelley

#2 Post by Kenneth2816 » 13 Sep 2019, 12:44

These people were the intellectual elite of their day, yet acted like schoolchildren. I like the period "dear reader"reference. Good work.

meenas17
Posts: 822
Joined: 23 Mar 2014, 11:27

Re: Percy Shelley

#3 Post by meenas17 » 13 Sep 2019, 17:26

Nicely pictured the eccentricities of Shelley and Byron,
" a meadow of perfumes" illustrates their infirmities with a soft echo.
meenas17

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Percy Shelley

#4 Post by BobBradshaw » 13 Sep 2019, 20:00

Ken, Meenas — thank you for your comments

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: Percy Shelley

#5 Post by Michael (MV) » 15 Sep 2019, 03:21

Hi Bob,

Is the speaker Claire Clairmont


Thx

Michael (MV)

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Percy Shelley

#6 Post by BobBradshaw » 15 Sep 2019, 04:22

Yep

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: Percy Shelley

#7 Post by Michael (MV) » 15 Sep 2019, 05:23

Thx, Bob,

Then perhaps "Percy Shelley" isn't the title needed for this poem.

Workshop-consider Claire Clairmont for the title of this persona-poem.


😎

Michael (MV)

BobBradshaw wrote:
15 Sep 2019, 04:22
Yep

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Percy Shelley

#8 Post by BobBradshaw » 17 Sep 2019, 08:58

Thx, Michael....originally the poem was titled after her...I might reconsider it...

Post Reply