Another Original Poem

Here is a poem that I wrote for my Literatures in English Internal Assessment (IA). We were given an option to reinterpret one of  the prescribed texts on the syllabus. In other words, we could create an artistic piece based on one of  the novels, plays or poems but with an original twist. I decided to reinterpret the text, Twelfth Night or What You Will by William Shakespeare. Throughout the entire play the audience is not given in depth insight into the feelings and thoughts of  the protagonist, Viola. To psychologically penetrate what I assumed would be viola's mind set, I wrote a very lengthy poem. It was fun writing it!

Viola’s Unspoken Words

Orsino! You are a fool,

An absolute forward-mouthed fool!

How could you say such words to me

To make my heart race and blood boil. I prithee

 

5          My beloved Duke of Illyria,

            Not to speak to me so much of Olivia.

            If you love her so much why did ye

            Compare my lips to the moon goddess of chastity.

 

            What more, you made me your cupid,

10        I am commissioned to give your love wings to fly to her.

            How insipid!

            She may be beautiful but she treats you like a cur.

 

            I love you! I constantly see your face

            Lurking in dark corners when my mind is in quietude.

15        My thoughts are filled of you; I dote on you, my Grace.

            I have even been charmed by your frivolous attitude.

 

            You say my lips are in the semblance of Diana’s,

            However, your lips are the live coals from Heaven’s altar

            Which I long to touch my lips as Isaiah’s,

20        So the heat may surge through me and release the zeal of a passionate lover.

      

            You love my melodious voice,

            When I speak to you in many sorts of music and song.

            However, what makes me feel peace and comfort is your voice,

            It is the blessed oasis of my soul. Oh! How I long

 

25        To hear you say “Boy” or “Cesario.”

            Your voice soothes me. Oh! How my soul

            Longs for that low, deep melody to quiet the staccato

            Of my brother’s voice in my head who lost to the sea in a watery duel.

 

            Your dark complexion entices me.

30        I long to have your skin sun-darkened,

            To touch and embrace my skin of ivory,

            To ignite Venus’s fire within me, a flame not easily cooled

 

            By the night’s wintry air. Instead

            You woo the Countess Olivia, who is a Fair Cruelty.

35        While my feelings lie in concealment, agony and pain spread,

            Throughout my being, my very soul and heart, tempting to surface my frailty,

 

            The frailty of a maiden’s heart. However,

            My love for you is too great, I will love thee forever.

            I cannot let you go, so with my wit

40        And faith in and Fate we will one day in holy matrimony be knit.