Introduction

A sonnet (or a poem). It was mentioned in a letter (#091) to Tevis Clyde Smith, circa November 1928:

A letter from the editor of The Poets’ Scroll2 says he will publish my sonnet, “Flaming Marble” (the one you liked) if I’ll subscribe. Seems like no one but subscribers can get stuff published — subscription $3.00. It just amounts to paying for publication but I’m going to do it; I’d give that much to have the sonnet in print. Anyway you can’t expect to make anything out of rhyme.

Alternative title: Untitled (“I carved a woman out of marble when”). Published in Poet’s Scroll January 1929. 14 lines.

I carved a woman out of marble when
The walls of Athens echoed to my fame,
And in the myrtle crown was shrined my name.
I wrought with skill beyond all mortal ken.
And into cold inhuman beauty then
I breathed a touch of white and living flame —
And from her pedestal she rose and came
To snare the souls and rend the hearts of men.

Without a soul, without a human heart
She shattered mortal love and mortal pride
And even I fell victim to my art,
With bitter joyless love I took my bride.
And still with frozen hate that never dies
She sits and stares at me with icy eyes.

Published in:

Source:

WikiSource, Wikipedia and Howard Works, sculpture by sculptor Carlo Pittaluga.