I dreamed this mortal part of mine Was metamorphosed to a vine, Which, crawling one and every way, Enthralled my dainty Lucia. Methought her long, small legs and thighs I with my tendrils did surprise; Her belly, buttocks, and her waist By my soft nervelets were embraced; About her head I writhing hung, And with rich clusters (hid among The leaves) her temples I behung: So that my Lucia seemed to me Young Bacchus ravished by his tree. My curls about her neck did crawl, And arms and hands they did enthrall: So that she could not freely stir (All parts there made one prisoner). But when I crept with leaves to hide Those parts which maids keep unespied, Such fleeting pleasures there I took That with the fancy I awoke; And found (ah me!) this flesh of mine More like a stock than like a vine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO BEACHEY, 1912 by CARL SANDBURG A CELEBRATION by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE BLOSSOM, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE A COMPARISON [ADDRESSED] TO A YOUNG LADY by WILLIAM COWPER THE ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND by HENRY FIELDING HIS PRAYER FOR ABSOLUTION by ROBERT HERRICK EXCELSIOR by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |