“Ophelia”- Inspired by John Millais’ Painting
by Alex Molini
Standing on the riverbank she must have wondered
Who would mourn her absence?
Her brother, on distant shores?
Those who had the misfortune
of being on the Danes’ royal court?
Would he pull his mind from madness
and face grief?
The blood of her father stains his hands,
but dear Ophelia will not bleed today.
No, not by blade will she leave,
Dagger, this is not your sheathe.
Scaling up the willow tree,
Above the garlands of crowflowers, nettles, daisies
and dead men’s fingers that swayed in the breeze,
weighed down in thought
the branch will snap and
carry her beneath.
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