Flaming June
(After: Lord Leighton)
Like Summer sunlight shining on a scene
Of coastal sunset beauty, there she lies
In shimmer-colours, somnolently calm;
Orange, auburn, red, pale pink, with silver
Highlights reflecting from smooth waves, and shades
Of shadowed green and brown framing her rest.
It’s not her features nor her posture most
Attracts attention as we contemplate
This figure sleeping in the glowing flush;
It’s more the richness of that colouring
Suffusing her half-hidden, half-disclosed
Limbs through the soft, diaphanous veil-gown,
And the imagined languors of warm Summer eves
Drowsed by scented roses, lulled by murmuring seas.