In his sonnet “Lift Not the Painted Veil…”, Percy Bysshe Shelley examines life as no more than an illusion. He believes most people are content living behind the opaque curtain provided for them, even though it creates a distorted view of life. Fear and hope are ever present, and truth seems disappointingly absent. We are then introduced to someone who attempts to bring the light of truth to a darkened world, but the effort to permanently pierce through the murky gloom with light seems futile under the smothering veil. The light serves to affirm the shadowed duplicity of the world.
Sonnet: Lift Not the Painted Veil Which Those Who Live
Lift not the painted veil which those who live
Call Life: though unreal shapes be pictured there,
And it but mimic all we would believe
With colours idly spread,—behind, lurk Fear
And Hope, twin Destinies; who ever weave
Their shadows, o’er the chasm, sightless and drear.
I knew one who had lifted it—he sought,
For his lost heart was tender, things to love,
But found them not, alas! nor was there aught
The world contains, the which he could approve.
Through the unheeding many he did move,
A splendour among shadows, a bright blot
Upon this gloomy scene, a Spirit that strove
For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.
Try It: A Poetic Response to the Veil
Is ignorance bliss? What do you think would result in exposing the bleak aspects of life to those unaware? How does truth benefit the world in which we live? What place does innocence have within the veil? Write a poem in response to Shelley’s point of view.
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Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here is a limerick from Monica that made us smile:
One spoiled yellow lab was astute.
She begged at the table for loot.
Dog owner says, “Wait.
People, pick up your plates.”
The humans got booted. Shoot.
Photo by Jana Allingham. Creative Commons via Flickr. Post by Heather Eure.
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How to Write a Poem uses images like the buzz, the switch, the wave—from the Billy Collins poem “Introduction to Poetry”—to guide writers into new ways of writing poems. Excellent teaching tool. Anthology and prompts included.
“How to Write a Poem is a classroom must-have.”
—Callie Feyen, English Teacher, Maryland
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Jayashree says
Moving out from her ghetto of subservience
A world of opportunities she hoped to see
Over generations it had clouded vision
A genetic imprint of loyalty it had made.
A secure cloak of masking her identity it did well
Lifting that satin painted veil seemed impossible
A liberated soul but she too hoped to become.
When one day quite by accident, she found herself
In a hall of light, rays of strength poured in there
Through its painted glass windows and open door
Flooding her inner being with awareness and purpose
She gathered strength to lift her veil.
Reins of courage taut, stepping cautiously
She tread ahead, trembling like a leaf in rain,
Then a spontaneous ebb of ecstasy, a tsunami
Of new light drowned her fear and baseless shame.
Dancing in the music that flooded the open world
She found a new sense of pride at her own resolve
Walking out through the door she threw the veil off.
Soaring high it flew with the wind, incredible she thought!
Feather light she felt, all that she gave up was a satin veil!
How light was the veil and heavy was that cloak of fear!
Generations of her own she would inspire to unmask
Women walked with head held high, their gleaming eyes
Met the world face to face, no more would veils hide pride.
Bethany R. says
Jayashree, thanks for sharing your poem with the Tweetspeak Poetry Community! I like when the woman in your piece is surprised by how light the veil actually was that had clouded things so dramatically. 🙂
I’m one of the Poetry Baristas here and don’t think I’ve bumped into you before, so I just want to welcome you! 🙂 Our cafe is a fun place to get acquainted with more of our offerings, if you’re interested:
https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/mischief-cafe/
All the best!
Heather Eure says
Jayashree, glad you’re here! Thank you for sharing your poem with us. A powerful message.
Jayashree says
Heather Eure,
Thank you for the feedback.
I am glad you found the message in the poem interesting.
Best Regards,
Jayashree
Jayashree says
Bethany, I am delighted you caught that line, it was the crux of all what I wanted to say; to cast away the veils and feel the free air and experience clear views of the world.
Thank you, both for that comment and for the invite to the cafe. Fiind me there very soon, sure.
Best of regards,
Jayashree