NPM: May 5th "She Walks In Beauty"

It's national poetry month (hereafter known as NPM)!! I almost forgot until I sat down this morning and read the paper. In honor of such a jocund celebration, I will be periodically posting my favorite poems of all time. I would love to know your favorites as well...

Today's first entry is from the hunk of a poet that dominated the Victorian Era...

George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron. 1788–1824

"She walks in beauty"

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light	5
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;	10
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,	15
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

I love Byron's soulful connection of darkness and beauty, his ornate and drippy descriptions, and his obvious gift at setting mood.

I have also been toying with the idea of memorizing a poem this month and then performing it via video. Now to choose which poem...

Write a poem, Read a poem, Be a poem,
mme. bookling