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The Knot Garden

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Matty11
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Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:58 pm

The Knot Garden

Post by Matty11 » Sat Dec 18, 2021 12:44 am

Design will pleasure her: these borders
of thyme, those beds of marigold.
It was a scented, moonless night
his Lady fell down the stairs. He is bold.
No wifely tear worries deceit.
No courtier's gossip nettles fret.
This counterfeit strides, safe inside,
no malodorous reveal. No regrets.
He plays with royal pearls, unlaces
the silk from under perfumed bliss;
despite that whiff of shame, his lips...
the Virgin Queen must pluck his cunning kiss.
Last edited by Matty11 on Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

AlienFlower
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Re: The Knot Garden

Post by AlienFlower » Sat Dec 18, 2021 1:41 pm

Hi Phil,

The words roll off my tongue deliciously as I read this—I enjoy the rhythm of the first two lines and the sounds of L 5-8. 

I had to look up "knot garden" and find they often used herbs, to connect the themes of aroma and deceit. Knot garden took me to traditional Welsh weaving, which I learn is not only magnificent (!!) but double sided. Reversible blankets, and two-faced people? 

I'm not sure why there's a dash in the last line. And how about eliminating the last word?  :shock:

Very much enjoyed

Jackie

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Colm Roe
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Re: The Knot Garden

Post by Colm Roe » Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:02 pm

A curious and interesting historical poem, Phil.
under perfumed bliss I thought was a bit cliché; but not too offensive.
Twas a challenging time to be a monarch, but she seemed to be one of the better ones.
Did Dudley push his wife down the stairs? (Seems she might have had breast cancer) I'd say she
was given a severe blow to the head and then her lifeless body was thrown the stairs.
Anywho, he didn't get to marry his childhood sweetheart.
I enjoyed the read and subsequent research :)

Matty11
Posts: 1585
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:58 pm

Re: The Knot Garden

Post by Matty11 » Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:35 pm

Jackie, you want me to remove the kiss ☹️🤔 I'll keep it for the rhyme 😀 Cut the dash!

Colm we are talking Tudor period...a most conveniently swift demise...or so twas his surmise 😆

https://www.tudorsociety.com/4-june-155 ... y-robsart/

Thanks both

cheers

Phil

TrevorConway
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Re: The Knot Garden

Post by TrevorConway » Tue Dec 21, 2021 1:56 am

Hi Phil,

Nice one. It felt quite complete, like there was a lot of thought and planning behind this, including word play ("cunning kiss" was particularly naughty, I thought :o ). I really liked the description at the start, thinking a slow, gardening poem might follow. 

Design will pleasure her: these borders
of thyme, those beds of marigold.
It was a scented, moonless night [Why not present tense, "is"?]
his Lady fell down the stairs. He is bold. ["He is bold" feels redundant, but I guess it's there for the rhyme. How about ", we are told"?]]
No wifely tear worries deceit.
No courtier's gossip nettles fret.
This counterfeit strides, safe inside,
no malodorous reveal. No regrets.
He plays with royal pearls, unlaces
the silk from under perfumed bliss; [delete "the"?]
despite that whiff of shame, [and] his lips...
the Virgin Queen must pluck his cunning kiss.

Matty11
Posts: 1585
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:58 pm

Re: The Knot Garden

Post by Matty11 » Wed Dec 22, 2021 12:13 am

Thanks Trev. Very pleased with 'quite complete'😀 will ponder those suggestions.

cheers

Phil

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