T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

From “Bread Poems”

By Evelyn Scott (1893–1963)


(From Precipitations, 1920) LULLABY I LEAN my heart against the soft bosomed night:
A white globed breast,
And warm and silent flowing,
The milk of the moon.

EMBARKATION OF CYTHERA Like jellied flowers	5
My inflated curves
Melt in the peaceful stagnance of the bath.
If I were to die
I would resist the final agony
With only a faint quiver	10
From my escaping thighs.

CHRISTIAN LUXURIES The red fountain of shame gushes up from my heart.
I throw back my long hair and the fountain floats it out
Like a fiery fan.
My wide stretched arms are white coral branches.	15
The liquid shadows seek between my amber breasts.

But the fire is cool.
It cannot burn me.