Hello and welcome.
This is another poetry reading,
so please enable English captions
on your video player on Youtube or Facebook
if you wish to read along with the words.
My name is Chris
and I’m from the Learn British English Free website.
I’m going to read a poem by Christina Rossetti
who is (was) a fairly famous poet.
But this is one of her less-famous poems.
It’s called “Reflection”.
The reason I’m reading it is that
it’s my personal favourite, perhaps my
favourite poem of all time so I wanted to share this.
It’s of interest to me
and I hope to you too.
It has a few bits of unusual vocabulary,
some archaic words, but not too many.
What is it about? I’m not exactly sure.
People always say that poems can be interpreted in different ways,
but it seems to be about the poet reflecting on herself,
her own being,
perhaps throughout her life.
That would be my guess
and there are many parts of it which I really enjoy.
I’m going to read it now. It’s called
“Reflection” by Christina Rossetti
Gazing thro' her chamber window Sits my soul's dear soul;
Looking northward, looking southward, Looking to the goal,
Looking back without control.
I have strewn thy path, beloved, With plumed meadowsweet,
Iris and pale perfumed lilies, Roses most complete:
Wherefore pause on listless feet?
But she sits and never answers; Gazing gazing still
On swift fountain, shadowed valley, Cedared sunlit hill:
Who can guess or read her will?
Who can guess or read the spirit Shrined within her eyes,
Part a longing, part a languor, Part a mere surprise,
While slow mists do rise and rise?
Is it love she looks and longs for; Is it rest or peace;
Is it slumber self-forgetful In its utter ease;
Is it one or all of these?
So she sits and doth not answer With her dreaming eyes,
With her languid look delicious Almost Paradise,
Less than happy, over wise.
Answer me, O self-forgetful Or of what beside?
Is it day dream of a maiden, Vision of a bride,
Is it knowledge, love, or pride?
Cold she sits thro' all my kindling, Deaf to all I pray:
I have wasted might and wisdom, Wasted night and day:
Deaf she dreams to all I say.
Now if I could guess her secret Were it worth the guess?
Time is lessening, hope is lessening, Love grows less and less:
What care I for no or yes?
I will give her stately burial, Tho', when she lies dead:
For dear memory of the past time, Of her royal head,
Of the much I strove and said.
I will give her stately burial, Willow branches bent;
Have her carved in alabaster, As she dreamed and leant
Whilst I wondered what she meant.
That was “Reflection” by Christina Rossetti.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Thank you for watching.