A lost book

I really liked it, too; found it fascinating. It was about the women, mostly models as well as girlfriends and in one case a wife of the artists, who were involved in the Pre-Raphaelite movement. I really love the art that came out of that period. Anyway, I need to find it again; alas, I cannot even remember all their names. Well anyway … the book comes to mind every now and then. I cannot remember the title or the author’s name. But I whittered nonetheless.

Mrs. William Morris, depicted as Proserpine by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Models

Starving
those women so adored
by the Pre-Raphaelites
consumptive and pale
immortal now
dark lidded eyes with shadow circles
lying in cold bath water for hours
in the quest for Ophelia

Danger and fire flash from eyes
at the affluent aesthetes
who would glorify and stylize them
lips pouting to hold back the derision
always just a breath away from bursting
forth and out of the bounds
of a propriety that was never theirs
gazing wistfully as directed

They died young
feeding the romantic machine
behaved badly
and the men fancied themselves
beyond society’s confines
but they knew where to turn
for a meal
and were loved for their leftovers

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September 17, 2003

sounds like a great book – have you read The Girl with the Pearl Earring or The Virgin Blue?

Very clever! M.E., I’m curious, what’s your process when you write? Do you have the finished product after the first writing or do your whitters require further whittering? Are you always full of inspiration or do you have a ‘method’? How does your inner mind work when you whitter? ~Hugs~

Sounds interesting enough, I hope you find it! =)

you should mention to V that you like those artists, she does too 🙂 *hugs* – Colette

You certainly capture their situation. There are so many books about the Pre-Raphaelite movement.Your book clearly had impact. An inspired poem. Always a pleasure to read. How you do it is perhaps a creative secret. Quite amazing. Smiles & Hugs

September 17, 2003

yummy. Much respect.

September 17, 2003

Good luck tracking it down. With a smile…

September 17, 2003

I am reading The Girl with the Pearl Earring right now too. It is amazingly well written. May the book manifest as well as your moxie!!!

September 17, 2003

Booger free days for all. YAY !!!!! Much respect. do not look under the table at the nexr restaurant you are at… SCARY ~~~~~ Much respect.

September 17, 2003

Wow…. I hope you find that book!

Ah : ) The poetess writing of art. Music to my heart! Like this much. Thanks for the beautiful spot in my day. Hugs and Smiles

September 17, 2003

very very nifty.. *smiles* if you do find the book, please let us know the author and title.. 🙂 hugs,

September 17, 2003

If you find it, let us know! I’d like to read it 🙂 ryn: Thanks for the advice 🙂

September 17, 2003

And a little bit more of the story. Now I take my shoulder to bed. With a smile…

September 17, 2003

I need to start reading books again, my writing skills improve greatly when I do.

What a sensuous picture! Hugs,

It had never really occurred to me before that Fine Art was the Fashion Rag of that era. Your words are delightful, as usual.

September 18, 2003

This is a long shot. Is it maybe “The Art of Pre-Raphaelites” by Elizabeth Prettejohn? If not, and you think of any other clues I bet we can find it.

beautiful picture. it makes me wish i could look like that, if only for a day. *smiles* i adored your poem. 🙂