Virginia Oldoini Rapallini, Countess of Castiglione

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

“Scherzo di Follia” (1863-1866 ca.): the Countess of Castiglione photographed in an artistic way

A room without a single mirror or

Reflective surface held the countess firm

Within her life but not forever, for

Eternity.  Her skin was in the squirm

Of ageing, squelching down in darkened room

As she refused the facts.  Not just refused

But fought, her fight within her ordered gloom

Against the destiny we all are fused

With, death and ugliness.  Her lovers, king

And emperor, were then long withered past.

No baritones or tenors now would sing

Fortissimo, like beauty (she aghast).

  Her one-time loveliness now lost in dark

    Refuses to reveal she was a shark.