I Knew A Woman Analysis

I knew a woman, lovely in her bones,

When small birds sighed, she would sigh back at them;

Ah, when she moved, she moved more ways than one:

The shapes a bright container can contain!

Of her choice virtues only gods should speak,

Or English poets who grew up on Greek

(I'd have them sing in chorus, cheek to cheek.)How well her wishes went! She stroked my chin,

She taught me Turn, and Counter-turn, and stand;

She taught me Touch, that undulant white skin:

I nibbled meekly from her proffered hand;

She was the sickle; I, poor I, the rake,

Coming behind her for her pretty sake

(But what prodigious mowing did we make.)Love likes a gander, and adores a goose:

Her full lips pursed, the errant note to seize;

She played it quick, she played it light and loose;

My eyes, they dazzled at her flowing knees;

Her several parts could keep a pure repose,

Or one hip quiver with a mobile nose

(She moved in circles, and those circles moved.)Let seed be grass, and grass turn into hay:

I'm martyr to a motion not my own;

What's freedom for? To know eternity.

I swear she cast a shadow white as stone.

But who would count eternity in days?

These old bones live to learn her wanton ways:

(I measure time by how a body sways.)

.: :.

i think he is talking about thhis beautiful lovely girl taht he really want to talk to but he is just to shy to do anything about it and he really wants her to know how he feels about her so he writes this poem

| Posted on 2008-04-17 | by a guest

.: woman :.

This poem is just a lame copy of what has been out there for hundreds of years. Please stop bothering us with this crap. Thanks a lot! jacob

| Posted on 2008-01-24 | by a guest

.: :.

This may be my favorite poem from my favorite poet. Known mostly for his beautiful imagery with natural themes, this is more about human elements, but just as effective. The wanting here, the adulation...This so well describes the overwhelming, over-taking of ones whole when in the head-over-heels phase of a relationship. (She moved in circles, and those circles moved) and (I measure time by how a body sways) are two of the most beautiful lines I've ever read. They have inspired me so many times to dig deeper when trying to display emotion. The reason I'm even here right now is because I'm feeling a bit of a drought, and wheneveer I read him I get inspired. I should go on, there's so much to say about it (the way he plays with words in such silly manners at times then so delicately beautiful in others) but I've gotten what I was looking for. Thanks Teddy, you've moved me yet again!

I knew a woman, lovely in her bones,
When small birds sighed, she would sigh back at them;

My God! How such warm words can produce such a chill in me is bewildering!

| Posted on 2004-11-20 | by deadndreaming