A Song To Eleonora Duse In "Francesca da Rimini "

by Sara Teasdale — a poem card from Justes Mots

A passionate address to actress Eleonora Duse, expressing intense romantic longing through the metaphor of roses. The speaker wishes to replace the flowers that touch the actress's hands with their own touch. This homage captures the fervent admiration artists of the early 20th century held for theatrical figures.

Oh would I were the roses, that lie against her hands,
The heavy burning roses she touches as she stands!
Dear hands that hold the roses, where mine would love to be,
Oh leave, oh leave the roses, and hold the hands of me!
She draws the heart from out them, she draws away their breath,
Oh would that I might perish and find so sweet a death!…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship