Venus Transiens" Tell me, Was Venus more beautiful Than…
““Venus Transiens" Tell me, Was Venus more beautiful Than you are, When she topped The crinkled waves, Drifting shoreward On her plaited shell? Was Botticelli’s vision Fairer than mine; And were the painted rosebuds He tossed his lady Of better worth Than the words I blow about you To cover your too great loveliness As with a gauze Of misted silver? For me, You stand poised In the blue and buoyant air, Cinctured by bright winds, Treading the sunlight. And the waves which precede you Ripple and stir The sands at my feet. Amy Lowell, Imagist Poetry: An Anthology . Ed. Bob Blaisdell (Dover Publications; Later Printing edition, March 17, 2011)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Beauty is transient; comparing it to mythic ideals highlights fleeting wonder.
In simple terms: Beauty is fleeting, like mythic images.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate momentary beauty.
Themes
beauty
transience
myth
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
aesthetic philosophy
poetic imagery
Questions to Reflect On
- What does fleeting beauty teach you?
- How do you hold onto wonder?
A Different Perspective
Mythic comparison can idealize.