She Walks in Beauty

 

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o’er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

                                         -Lord Byron

 

[Note: this is part of a weekly series Pic and Poem Paired. In high school I received a "Flower Gram" (a note tied to a rose delivered to home room) with part of this poem written on the note and instructions to "find the other three, and the four shall be one" from a Secret Admirer. Eventually I found Alka, Charlene and Remee, we pieced the poem together and it didn't take us too long to deduce it was sent by Christopher, a dear friend to us all. This photo was taken at a neighbor's house in Murrieta, CA.]