The Fickle One
The Fickle One - meaning Summary
Desire Across Changing Faces
The poem depicts a speaker whose gaze is repeatedly drawn to different women of contrasting looks and energies, describing how his eyes and mouth pursue them. Despite these outward temptations, his inner life—the blood, kisses, and soul—remains devoted to a single distant beloved. It contrasts fleeting physical desire with a deeper, constant emotional attachment that unites many variants of beauty into one beloved presence.
Read Complete AnalysesMy eyes went away from me Following a dark girl who went by. She was made of black motherofpearl Made of darkpurple grapes, And she lashed my blood With her tail of fire. After them all I go. A pale blonde went by Like a golden plant Swaying her gifts. And my mouth went Like a wave Discharging on her breast Lightningbolts of blood. After them all I go. But to you, without my moving, Without seeing you, distant you, Go my blood and my kisses, My dark one and my fair one, My broad one and my slender one, My ugly one, my beauty, Made of all the gold And of all the silver, Made of all the wheat And of all the earth, Made of all the water Of sea waves, Made for my arms Made for my kisses, Made for my soul.
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