Echo And Narcissus, John William Waterhouse (1903)

Echo’s Lament

I am not yet ready to live
and yield my love to another

I have not yet explored
the wonders of choice

having none to choose from
other than my unanswered desire.

My waning heart cannot see
beyond the beauty by the pond
who will not see me

as I diminish with daylight
you won’t see even less

I will not waste time
embracing another

You are kind and fair
but reflection can never compare

So much the better;
had I caught your eye

Your gaze reflected
upon my echo
repeated back
into your flawless eyes
reflecting into the echo
chambered within my
unrequited heart
would echo my loss
onto your being

reflecting an infinite wound
and I adore you too much
to even risk destroying a world
where you can only find love
at the surface of you

I’d sooner die than crush
even the façade of you and

I’d sooner die than live
without my beloved

I’d sooner die and wither
like crystalized narcissus
in a December evening frost

I’d sooner die in a winter whisper
heard only by the lonely
and I’d sooner die
sooner still

I’d sooner die
and fall
into nothing
but sound

I’d sooner die
sooner…
die

** *

Written for Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Narcissus (Vanity/Narcissism), hosted by Susan. I chose to give voice to Echo, the mountain nymph, because of course I did.

Because of course I did.

I did.