Table of Contents Table of Contents
Previous Page  155 / 198 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 155 / 198 Next Page
Page Background

155

Lilias Trotter

(born in London, 1853–1928)

Lilias, Lilias, as she smiled

even the roots of her teeth turned seven colors

and her purplish heart

made her walk barefoot

among gardens observing

that all exists through a certain spectre

when she picked up free-hand

the laws of lines, colours and shapes

incising golden cuts on the canvas’ wrists

when in Venice she met a great painter

John Ruskin

intoxicated on her genius

(having observed it)

so one day he took his best brush

and offered it over her name – Lilias

you are a long-haired dame of paintings

princess of lines and the color of your time

no matter how restless

no matter how hungry, she kept on

walking bare-headed through alleys and gardens

only to stumble on a colorless, thorny crown,

eternal helmet of salvation,