How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Painted Diary

PaintedDiary · 05:19 PM

This is something different, and was fun to do. I love vampires and scary monsters, and such. While painting or sketching many things, I also paint, and draw things considered fantasy. I was reading poetry from one of my favorites (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, [1806-1861]) early this morning, after reading about a woman having a tumultuous affair with Dracula. This is the product, as I had no intention of doing any writing this morning. With Ms VS in mind the first time, and Ms Lanaia, the second time.....

The writing in {Blue} is Dracula's words to his Lady. Also, the words in Blue, are lines from one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most famous poems, " How Do I Love Thee? The (words in Black), are narrated, and are the Lady's words, and thoughts.

How do I love thee; Dracula? Let me count the ways
An immortal sin
a temptatious seduction
thoughts of forbidden
coitus
enslaved

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
The depth
of her soul
blazed
with demoniac ubiquity
Dracula's touch
seemed omnipresent
almost
Hypnotic
was her King
of the Night

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
A Nocturnal Bliss
sheets stained
crimson red
tantalizing promises
of immortality
on the other side
where light is taboo
where she knew
that they would reunite

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace
Her pallid Master
exquisite
with an
atramentous cloak
spread over
ample shoulders
like great wings
and she
with a bloodless
plunging neckline
adorned
with immaculate
pure white
Brussels Lace

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Vampirical Dance
at dusk
where her hungry blood
awaits
transfusion
as she lay

I shall love thee better after death
Midnight lust
never to plague
her again
nor sleepwalking
toward the cry
of the rapacious
beast
then return
to wash away
an invisible
bloodstain

His rogue
malignant spirit
she shall
love after death
desiring power
and bloodshed
parallel
to Lady Macbeth

TrueBlue · 07-24-2006, 04:45 PM

Poignant, clever, verbose. With insidious character revelation, peering deep into the manifold nature of desire. Great. Loved it.

PaintedDiary · 07-24-2006, 06:02 PM

Thank you TrueBlue, first for taking the time to read, then commenting.
This was different for me, combining a classic, with my vampire induced infusion. I changed the structure of the poem for an easier read, as this is a first draft. Verbose? I like my word choice actually, so I really do not think, the piece is inpaired by the words. Nevertheless, thank you for your time, and response!

TrueBlue · 07-24-2006, 06:51 PM

Dear PaintedDiary,

Maybe I misused the word "verbose". What I meant was that you displayed a good capacity for choosing the right words [concisely and unpretentiously, that is]. You have a good or "advanced" vocab. That's a good thing. You ARE a poet, afterall. And a good one I might add. I apologize for my incoherency. I meant nothing negative at all about the poem. Apology accepted?

Paul,

PaintedDiary · 07-24-2006, 07:35 PM

Dear True,
I understand. No.....If there is a negative comment, I accept that as well. I was just unsure of the "verbose", as I learned this word to mean, impairment by overuse of words. I am sorry, if this was misunderstood. Please accept my apology True. You are a good poet as well, and I have yet to get to your level. Yes, my vocab, gets me in trouble at times! LOL!!! Take Care True!

Kim

Sebby · 07-25-2006, 09:52 PM

That was brilliant kim I love how u've got it in 2 parts and was really well written read it about 3 times plus....it was about vampires, what could be better lol

Altree94 · 08-17-2006, 09:56 PM

Fantastic! Not just a good, smoothly-flowing read but a visually pleasurable one as well! Using a famous poem in this way was a stroke of genius. I stumbled a bit over your 3rd stanza where you said "she believed that they would reunite". This seems to imply that they might not. A moot point since the whole poem is just her thoughts and feelings. How about a companion poem giving his thoughts and feelings? This could also just be my own insatiable thirst to read more of your poetry! LOL! Overall, I have to tell you that I really enjoyed reading this. Don't you just love Vincent Price and Christopher Lee?!

PaintedDiary · 09-30-2006, 12:16 PM

Dear Tree,
Thank you for taking the precious time to read and comment. This is one of my favorite poems. Yes, you are right about the third stanza. I will rework the words to bring proper depth. The idea of the companion poem is genius as well!!! I will do just that!!!! You are such an inspiration to me, as well as this Forum Tree. Luv Ya'.

PD

erikestabrook · 09-30-2006, 12:58 PM

this i sgood but i suggest you separat ethe blue that are the mans part and the blues from elithabeth barret browning, the wy ayou wrote it make one think its the same thing, I liked this not in a dark mood,
it had good qualities of empathy towards the vampire and subservance of vampress

PaintedDiary · 09-30-2006, 01:08 PM

Thank you ERIK for taking time to read and comment. Yes, I struggled a bit, how to define "Dracula's" words, and also GIVE PROPER CREDIT to Mrs. Browning. I will take your sugesstion into consideration, and thank you for the excellent suggestion. This is one of my favorites, as I love the Vampire Genre, and mystery themes. Thanks again. Take Care.

Painted