The Duchess of Astraea – Elvan Safyurek

” Point of view: perspective of a servant in the poem ‘My Last Duchess’ by Robert Browning “

The Duchess of Astraea

The painter could never hope

To reproduce the faint

Half-flush that dies along her throat. 

The curtains used to fly back with her sweet tongue

That was just but a reminiscence of a song 

A story told by Greek mythology

But no, she had to be real. 

She sung 

To the birds

The ladies and gentleman 

And even to me

A lousy servant

She sung

Why can’t I remember the song Oh dutchess? 

Was it your voice that enchanted me 

Or the lyrics too heartfelt?

“Greetings” she cheered with a smile that bloomed upon faces. 

Gentlemen covered their faces 

Flushed In shameful masculinity.

and ladies were furious

That smile 

Oh that smile would light up the clouds above. 

But was it too dishonourable to despise

The duke for his lack of cherish 

For that smile? 

She had held her hand out me 

And had I once taken it 

Would I have been facing her painting?

As a poignant echo

The painting that stood

A half projected image.

A bittersweet smile. 

Her eyes hollering 

As the Dutch fastened the curtains

In jealousy and contentment. 

But still I drew back her curtains

In the moonlight

In hope that her smile 

could light up the night sky.

As if she were real. 

‘Duchess of Astraea.’ I once accidentally called her.

She turned back so abruptly

Her cheeks had blushed a bright pink 

And she called out with her once sweet voice

“Am I the one you refer to with such a sweet title?”

As if that moment would be captured forever, 

The painting called out to me. 

“The dutchess of Astraea” 

And I failed to heed it as I gripped the knife harder in my hand.