Bettina Werner on Wall Street

Bettina Werner on Wall Street

BETTINA WERNER
IN PERFECT PURPLE STATE,
First Time he Kissed me with a Gold Blessing
4 panels 80 x 18 inches each © Bettina Werner 2008
Artwork created with textured colorized salt technique invented by Bettina Werner in the early 1980’s

FIRST TIME HE KISSED ME
Sonnet XXXVIII:By Elizabeth Barret Browning

First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
The finger of this hand wherewith I write;
And ever since, it grew more clean and white,
Slow to world-greetings,
quick with its "Oh, list,"
When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst
I could not wear here, plainer to my sight,
Than that first kiss. The second passed in height
The first, and sought the forehead,
and half missed,
Half falling on the hair. O beyond meed!
That was the chrism of love,
which love's own crown,
With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.
The third upon my lips was folded down
In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed,
I have been proud and said, "My love, my own."

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