Fine woven purple linen by Bliss Carman
Bliss Carman's "Fine Woven Purple Linen" is a poem that explores the themes of beauty, mortality, and the transience of human life. The speaker of the poem reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death, contrasting the finely woven purple linen with the fragility of human existence. Through vivid imagery and careful word choice, Carman creates a sense of melancholy and contemplation, inviting the reader to ponder the meaning of life and the passage of time.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Lyric · 123 words
First lines
Fine woven purple linen / I bring thee from Phocaea, / That, beauty upon beauty, / A precious gift may cover / The lap where I have lain.
And a gold comb, and girdle, / And trinkets of white silver, / And gems are in my sea-chest, / Lest poor and empty-handed / Thy lover should return.
And I have brought from Tyre / A Pan-flute stained vermilion, / Wherein the gods have hidden / Love and desire and longing, / Which I shall loose for thee.
What this Textopian page supports
Fine woven purple linen is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Bliss Carman
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Lyric, Classical Literature, Symbolism
- Length: 123 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on beauty and emotion.
- Romance — The themes of love, desire, and longing are central to the text.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Classical Literature — The references to ancient places and cultural artifacts suggest a connection to classical themes and styles.
Tags
poetry · nature · symbolism · imagery · metaphor · inspiration · emotions · reflection · inner life · soul · spirituality · religion