My well-beloved was stripped. Knowing my whim,
She wore her tinkling gems, but naught besides:
And showed such pride as, while her luck betides,
A sultan’s favored slave may show to him.
When it lets off its lively, crackling sound,
This blazing blend of metal crossed with stone
Gives me an ecstasy I’ve only known
Where league of sound and lustre can be found.
She let herself be loved: then, drowsy-eyed,
Smiled down from her high couch in languid ease.
My love was deep and gentle as the seas
And rose to her as to a cliff the tide.
My own approval of each dreamy pose,
Like a tamed tiger, cunningly she sighted:
And candour, with lubricity united,
Gave piquancy to every one she chose.
Her limbs and hips, burnished with changing lustres
Before my eyes, clairvoyant and serene,
Swanned themselves, undulating in their sheen;
Her breasts and belly, of my vine the clusters,
Like evil angels rose, my fancy twitting,
To kill the peace which over me she’d thrown,
And to disturb her from the crystal throne
Where, calm and solitary, she was sitting.
So swerved her pelvis that, in one design,
Antiope’s white rump it seemed to graft
To a boy’s torso, merging fore and aft.
The talc on her brown tan seemed half-divine.
The lamp resigned its dying flame. Within,
The hearth alone lit up the darkened air,
And every time it sighed a crimson flare
It drowned in blood that amber-coloured skin.
Skin musk and honey, blood-red rose, orange blossom, white peach, red apple, frankincense and myrrh.
The Neverwhere Collection.
Rebecca –
Honey!!! That’s all I smell from Door at first, then honey and herbs. A faint tinge of tobacco from the nicotiana? Not sure what cistus smells like, but this is gorgeous, one of the Lab’s beautiful meadow in springtime sort of blends. Golden sunshine in a vial.
lookingglass –
Door has stolen my heart. She is such a lovely juxtiposition of bright herbacious notes, sweet/creamy honey, and a deep, smokey/dusty, yet tangy resininess. She reminds me of a more mature, esoteric Honey Moon, which was my little one’s favorite when he was a baby (sigh of nostalgia…). It is calming, yet not soporific; fresh, yet not grating; grounded, yet gentle and approachable. This is perfect for me to wear to work as a psychotherapist. There are many doors I am called to open.
rmazar –
Door is my absolute favourite, my daily go-to. It’s a beautiful honey scent with depth from the cistus and a touch of darkness and mystery from the nicotiana. The chamomile brings a bit of whimsy. It’s a well-rounded lady with a compassionate heart and a bit of tragedy darkening her past. If honey works for you, Door is AMAZING.