She Was a Phantom of Delight

by William Wordsworth (1807) — a poem card from Justes Mots

A portrait that moves from dazzlement to something steadier — a real woman, lovelier for being human.

She was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleam'd upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition, sent
To be a moment's ornament;
Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;
Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-time and the chearful Dawn;…

Themes: admiration · love