Remember those old movies in which a man courted a lady by reading poetry to her? Well heaven help the man who tries to woo me with poetry, because I won't have a clue as to what he is reading to me. You see, I have no aptitude whatsoever for poetry. Although I always did well in English class, it was poetry that threw a wrench into things, eliciting a "Say what?" from me.
Fortunately, I recently found a collection of poems that I actually understand. Written by novelist Louise de Vilmorin, seen above, and titled "Aux Quatre Coins de Paris" (translated to "Paris Poems"), these poems were published in Vogue magazine (the British edition, I believe) sometime in the 1930s. They are gay, light-hearted, and stylish with their references to the Ritz and Maxim's and just the kind of poems with which to the end the week. Each brief poem was accompanied by a charming illustration, and I have included them below, each above its corresponding verse.
Perhaps these poetic nuggets might inspire you to try your hand at poetry. Personally, they make me want to check-in to the Ritz.
Descending these three steps
In elegant procession
Can make a great impression
While international chatter passes
Among the midday cocktail glasses
This is a funny street
No snow, or rain, or sleet
Thus say the poodles and the dachs
Whining for the jewelled collars
That cost too many dollars
The Statue of Liberty only offers you a light
But I, by trade a dairy made, just might,
Tempt you with a bargain
Next Saturday
When I stray
From my Milky Way
To the Market of Fleas
So come and see me please
Reflected between the lamps
Set in the mirrors' glint
Are fashions for you to follow
Good sense to take the hint
Aux Quatre Coins de Paris by Louise de Vilmorin; translation by Peter Coats; Drawings by Maurice van Moppès
charming and sweet! I was not aware of this authress. I will certainly find out more about her and read more of her poetry. Merci!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carl!
Deleteof course, i couldn't let this one pass by without commenting that louise de vilmorin was the woman duff cooper was practically living with, notwithstanding the fact that he was married to THE great beauty of her (and several other) generation(s) Lady Diana Cooper (nee Manners).
ReplyDeleteand don't forget, he also had a long liaison with susan mary alsop, in fact, fathered her son. which he, the son, was never told about and only discovered when he was in his 30's. I have his book, he called it "my three fathers". I have duff's book too, he called his memoirs "old men forget". I also have his published diaries. men really are sex-mad, did you know? i was exhausted just reading it....
come to think of it, I have diana cooper's memoir as well, she called hers....wait a minute, i just have to run downstairs and check - --as it happens, i DON't have her memoirs, i have a biography of her by Ziegler. But I did read her three volume autobiography, because the New Orleans public library owned it. What i wouldn't give to have those three volumes in my collection now....nobody else would want them. who besides me gives a fig about diana cooper anymore?
and finally, diana's and duff's son wrote a fabulous memoir "trying to please" by john julius norwich (he uses the title as his last name - cheeky). he is still alive, if you can believe it, tho' he must be 150 by now. well, actually about 90.....he lives right next to regent's park. i looked it up.
Valerie in Washington DC
Valerie, Having recently read the Susan Mary Alsop biography, I too thought of the whole Duff Cooper affair. Actually, make that affairs! What a tangled web. It does make for interesting reading, though! I am familiar with the books to which you refer, but have yet to read them. I think that I should do so soon, though. Thank you for the comment!
DeleteJennifer
Valerie, the 3 volumes are worth tracking down in their original form.
DeleteThe endpapers include the trophy panels painted by Martin Battersby for
the house at Chantilly, which ended up at Lady Diana's place in Little
Venice, London. I suppose that John Julius Norwich has got those panels
at this point in time?
There are fewer than six degrees of separation here....my high school french teacher was married to Louise de Vilmorin's cousin....She was not charming.
ReplyDeleteMary
Mary, Indeed it is a small world! de Vilmorin sounds frightening.
DeleteI loved the comment from Valerie + I will find those books! thanks Valerie in Washington DC. I feel the same about poetry as you, but adored these. More Louise de Vilmorin please. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy, I will hunt for more de Vilmorin poems!
DeleteThe Coopers were friends of Coco Chanel and Boy Capel- I wonder if Louise ever met Coco? Most likely she did!
ReplyDeleteDean
Dean, Interestingly enough, de Vilmorin collaborated on Chanel's autobiography, although supposedly it was rife with incorrect information and trumped up recollections.
Deleteall the above are worth reading and I am pleased have them all but don't forget 'to marietta from Paris' where a lot of reading between the lines is needed.
ReplyDeleteI have that book on my wish list thanks to you. The copies online tend to be quite expensive so I am doing some hunting to find an affordable copy!
DeleteI'm with you, I never understood poetry. In my senior year in high school, on my final English exam we had to analyze a poem, my heart froze. I had no earthly idea.
ReplyDeleteExactly! No earthly idea. That was the way I felt about poetry in high school and college English classes. I never understood a word of it!
DeleteTerrifying woman, Louise de Vilmorin.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the interview that is part of the Criterion DVD of the film "The Earrings of Madame de.."
in which Louise denounces the film as rubbish? Never mind that most film historians considered it
a masterpiece. Louise dismissed it outright.
It was based on her slender novel, "Madame de", translated by none other than Duff Cooper.
Toby, I have not yet seen the film but have been meaning to do so. It sounds like it is worth it for the interview alone!
Delete