Wild Rose

by Bryher

O wild rose, bend above my face!

There is no world–

Only the beat of your throat against my eyes.

 

White moss is harsh

Against these soft white petals of your feet.

It is hard to dream you have followed the wild goats

Aslant the perilous hills.

 

I have only the fire of my heart to offer you,

O peach-red lily of my love!

 

“Wild Rose” originally appeared as part of a series of poems called Hellenics, in which Bryher touched on Greek mythological subjects ranging from Aphrodite, the goddess of love, to Eos, the goddess of dawn.

Annie Winifred Ellerman was born on September 2, 1894, in Margate, England; she took the pen name Bryher from the smallest of the Isles of Scilly, a favorite vacation spot. In addition to her work writing poetry, fiction, and memoir, she financially supported many artists of her day, and was the longtime partner of fellow poet H.D. Bryher died in 1983.