She came sailing in —
foxgloves in murder digitalis
shape-shifters in book-covered heat
an Austen novel in her head
pharmacopœia of bottled lust
in everyone else’s closet Gothic
unholstered in a room of Macbeths
unshriven, exhumed desire
— sailing in, lighting torches
blanketed fire,
lavender swan.
Merril's Quadrille #113: "Blanket Us" for dVerse A dVerse quadrille is a poem of exactly 44 words. Click on Mr. Linky to read more and join in!
This Jolly Beggar 
I love the opposites you are using in this description… to me she seems a femme fatale with the references to poisonous plants and the beauty of lavender swan and blanketed fire.
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Exactly what I was going for, and I thank you for your reading; it encourages me to think I got my cauldron of ideas across. Thank so much, Bjorn.
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The details in this are divine:
“an Austen novel in her head
pharmacopœia of bottled lust
in everyone else’s closet Gothic…”
Wow. Another stunning write. ❤
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Thank you kindly, Lucy, for your generous comment 🙂
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She sounds like trouble.
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No doubt about it, Joseph.
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So much fun in your words–the Austen novel in her head and “everyone else’s closet Gothic
unholstered in a room of Macbeths”–wonderful!
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Confession: I had fun writing it. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the great prompt, Merril 🙂
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It’s a good thing to have had fun writing it, and you’re welcome!
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I love the Gothic hue of your poem, Dora, the ‘foxgloves in murder digitalis’ and the ‘pharmacopœia of bottled lust’. And the lavender swan!
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It descended into Gothic madness pretty fast, didn’t it? – I only had 44 words after all 🙂 Appreciate your reading and commenting, Kim, and glad you liked!
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That “blanketed fire” sums her up, doesn’t it? She’s got a lot going on under the surface. One to be wary of, I think.
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You’re right, hidden and dangerous depths, also characteristics shared by her beholders. Thank you, Sarah 🙂
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She sounds like a whirlwind of personality, somebody Kris Kristoferson would write about ❤
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Oh my goodness, yes! But if anyone could mellow her . . . 😀 Thank you, Lisa!
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Or if anyone could rev Kris up…. 😉 You’re welcome, Dora.
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Haha! YES.
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One word.. WOW! So much to love here especially; “an Austen novel in her head pharmacopœia of bottled lust in everyone else’s closet Gothic.” 🙂
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Thank you so much! Your appreciative enjoyment makes my day 🙂
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Please take Sanaa’s WOW and add my ZA = WOWZA!!
Then add that WOWZA to all of the previous positive responses .
You’re welcome.
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I humbly accept your WOWZA, Ron, and double it back to you for the most unreserved and undeserved compliment ever! Thank you!!!
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Swoon. “Lavender swan”—how gorgeous.
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Aww, thanks, M.R. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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The unexpected use of language, of words here, is wonderful. Poets rule.
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Thank you so much, Xan. And I second that sentiment, poets do rule, or as Shelley wrote, they’re the “unacknowledged legislators of the world.” Same 🙂
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kaykuala
sailing in, lighting torches
blanketed fire, lavender swan.
They do come with a ‘bang’ Great writing Dora! Thanks for visiting earlier on and apologies!
Hank
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Hank. You’re too kind. 🙂
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Such a clever and unexpected character sketch. I love how you use blanketed fire.
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Thank you, Grace, for that kind comment. I’m glad you liked it.
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Oh, Dora, You have done a “Lucy” poem!! :>) Lots of Drama going on in this one. Great images!!
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I’ll gladly take that compliment! I’m so glad you liked the Drama😀💜
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Thank you… You nailed it!
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🙏🙂
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Upholstered in a room of Macbeth’s, great line Dora.
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Glad you liked it. Thank you for reading and commenting, Rob.
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I love this – brings to my mind Agatha Christie murder mysteries. I especially love the closing lines: ‘blanketed fire/lavender swan’: something dangerous hidden beneath an attractive exterior.
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Ah, yes! Christie does usually have a character/event that upends the status quo. This one certainly does that. Thank you, Ingrid, for that perceptive comment!
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I loved this! The Gothic temptress, all swishing satin, passion, foxgloves and poison.
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Thank you so much, Jane. I’m so glad you liked it!
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I did, very much!
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Thanks again, Jane 🙂
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🙂
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Love this Austen drama unfolding with energy, my favourite line is “… in a room of Macbeths unshriven …”
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You’ve made my day, P.V. Thank you so much!
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Very welcome Dora, a true feast.
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🙏🙂
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I really like the final image of the lavender swan. (K)
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Thanks so much, K. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Beautiful words and deep comparisons
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Thank you Jude 😀💜
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“foxgloves in murder digitalis” – one line of many that struck me. Absolutely stunning poem, Dora!
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Thank you so much. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😀
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