Friday, January 18, 2008

The Lovely Loreley

"I cannot explain the sadness
That's fallen on my breast.
An old, old fable haunts me
And will not let me rest."

I do not know what haunts me,
What saddened my mind all day;
An age-old tale confounds me,
A spell I cannot allay.

The air is cool and in twilight
The Rhine's dark waters flow;
The peak of the mountain in highlight
Reflects the evening glow.

There sits a lovely maiden
Above so wondrous fair,
With shining jewels laden,
She combs her golden hair.

It falls through her comb in a shower,
And over the valley rings
A song so mysterious power
That lovely maiden sings.

The boatman in his small skiff is
Seized by a turbulent love,
No longer he marks where the cliff is,
He looks to the mountain above.

I think the waves must’ve flung him
Against the reefs nearby,
And that did with her singing
The Lovely Loreley

17 comments:

thailandchani said...

Beautiful! I haven't heard that for a long, long time! :)

Anonymous said...

'Captivating' and so too - your delightful photo's

Enhances the poem - even more so.

Carla said...

Chani, I am happy to be able to bring back the memory.

Peter, I am glad that you enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, enchanting poem, full of wisdom. Thanks for sharing.

Carla said...

Mark, I am glad that you've enjoyed it.

Steffi said...

I know that all ... ;O)!Carla, if you are someday again in Germany please let me know it!!!So we can meet us!!!!

Ubermouth said...

Pretentious much?

AHAHAHHAHAA

Anonymous said...

Very nice poem, I don't remember it, yet it does sound familiar. I love the photos you have put with it.

Carla said...

Steffi, I will definitely be coming back. Hopefully sooner rather than later. For sure I will let you know. I would love to meet.

Ian, Well, what can I say. Interesting comment. Not quite sure what you're getting at.

Carla said...

Dawn, The photos are from where the legend supposedly takes place. Interesting, eh?

JBelle said...

yuuuuum!

The Fool said...

Interesting piece, Nomad. This is the first time I've seen it. I'm pulled in a couple of directions in unravelling it...so I'm going to just mull on it a bit and return to it again later. Thanks for the photos, too...that's some beautiful countryside. Have a great weekend.

Carla said...

JBelle, Good to see you!

Fool, Waiting to hear your take. My next post should add a bit more for you to mull over. Have a lovely weekend as well.

Anonymous said...

I remember hearing a poem or song about a Loreley but I can't place it. She must have made an impact to have a song and statue made for her. Thanks for sharing.

Carla said...

Sirdar, Any beautiful naked woman sitting on the top of a cliff singing a song so enchanting it causes sailors to crash is bound to cause a stir ;-)

TK Kerouac said...

Beautiful!

Carla said...

Thanks Tracey!