The Lady Of Shallot: Mirror Mind Exposed Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

interesting no one ever sees
our Lady of Shallot mystery
is spoken of like a fairy lady
even her name unknown remains

woman sitting in looming isolation cloistered
view casement window is even near untouched
veil prototype Mona Lisa not pictured framed
not seen at her window looking out landscaped

the Lady of Shallot never sees direct world near at hand
from cloistered distance what is felt smelt touched real
her mirror hangs upon a wall events it tells yearly small
shadows of life reversed seen mirrored move are framed...

within her mirror within in mind
upon her loom in still frozen time
she weaves life distant glimpsed
when passions rise fate will chime

she threads scenes
life she never knows
through casement window closed
allowed seen only shadow world

she threads her season passing scenes
ordinary exquisite life she never knows
reflections through casement window closed
to see puppet shows shift shadow cast world...

looking out through mirror the mirror image is the world
still life tapestry fascinating she is weaving mirror imaged
do we also see only mirror images as life rivers flow past?
upon what fleeting moments will our own life die be cast?

the Lady of Shallot suffers from a mysterious curse
she must continually weave her loom images shadows
without ever looking directly out at world dangers
what strange change daily scenes her mirror reflects

by her island the busy road the people of Camelot pass
what is her looming curse she avoids but never knows?
dangers lurk looking out near window Yes? No? Yes?
Is it...? Love? Love or risk of love? Love slays souls? ...

Is love a danger that foul may slay a young maiden's heart?
What light ignites eyes at first sight a love for Sir Lancelot?
Love is a swooning fascinating risk can it kill young heart?
Love kills young innocence that first love the first love lost?

a tower secluded by water and height may well fall at night
a shield sparkled on the long yellow field a red-cross knight
an illicit love affair like a silver bugle calls blue purple night
a constellation of stars is offset by path bearded meteor bright

red yellow silver, blue purple coal-black curls, peacock colours
maiden cheeks flaming as in arrayed display Sir Lancelot poses
mist siren song ‘Tirra lirra' come embrace be my lover entices
out flew her web floated wide caught she be in traps love tides...

her mirror crack'd from side to side run meet lover at river side
to run meet in woods Sir Lancelot maidenhood cannot survive...
floating downstream with wedding dreams snowy white robed
heard her singing her last maid song life broken barely alive...

heard was carol mournful holy chanted loudly chanted lowly
her blood love impaled frozen slowly eyes darken'd wholly...
ere she reach'd Camelot upon the tide first house at water-side
sweet tender enchanting; singing maiden; in her song she died...

dressed in cloud-white crown death pearl shroud she will delight
her wide eyes fixed on Camelot this night survive she will not...
bewitched sight steady stony glance love she be a seer in a trance
behold mischance cast love lance a wax mute glassy countenance...

'She left the web, she left the loom;
She made three paces thro' the room, ...
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side; ...

'The curse is come upon me, ' cried
The Lady of Shalott' caught in passion tide...
virgin magic strung weaved glitters entices all
comes illicit consummation then comes the fall...

'And round the prow they read her name'
'The Lady of Shalott' won undying fame...
'Who is this? and what is here?
And in the lighted palace near

Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they cross'd themselves for fear, ...
But Lancelot mused a little space;
He said, 'She has a lovely face;

God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott' twas embowered chase...

'Only reapers, reaping early
In among the bearded barley,
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly, ...

And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers ''Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott' singing ghostly merry...

once she lived alone loom tapestry embowered
now a constellation of stars haunting flowered...


Quotations from 'The Lady Of Shallot' by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Copyright © Terence George Craddock