More Sitwell Chinoiserie Poetry….This time from Sacheverell

Posted: May 17th, 2012 | No Comments »

Another day another Sitwell…this time Sacheverell and published in Wheels 1916…

 

Li Tai Pe Drinks and Drowns

THE spray splashes on the petals of the anemone

Creasing the water to a mesh of magic circles moving outwards:

The petals shake like the notes

Of a woman singing.—

Then Li Tai Pe lifts back his cup

And the red scimitar goes back to its sheath.

The magical rings move further away

Till they shake the ivory towers of the water-lilies.

Now, as a finger shuts the notes of a flute,

The petals fold together.

Then Li Tai Pe with reeling mind

Sees the moon as an ivory mask

Hung from the belt of Fate the Histrion.—

With such a mask, the princesses will deem him of the

dragon-blood.

He jumps to catch it.

The moon-stained water runs into his mouth.

With open arms he sinks

And through the jade-cold water seeks his diadem.

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