GASPARA STAMPA

I spent some time with the great Italian Renaissance poet, Gaspara Stampa over the holiday period, whose life was cut tragically short by illness. Perhaps she died of a broken heart, having been rebuffed by the Count Collaltino di Collalto. This was, after all, the man to whom she dedicated her entire output of poetry, amounting to some 311 poems, none of which were published in her lifetime. Besides being one of the most influential female poets of that time she was also pretty good on the lute! I love this sorrowing and heartbroken sonnet, this ‘sonesto’ – a little sound or song. Love Susie x

Rime 104

O night to me more splendid and more blessed
Than the most blessed and most splendid of days,
Night worthy of the most exalted praise,
Not just of mine, unworthy and distressed,

You alone have been the faithful giver
Of all my joys; you've made the bitter taste
Of this life sweet and dear, for you've replaced
Within my arms the one who's bound me ever.

I just regret that I did not become
Lucky Alemena then, for whom the dawn
Postponed, against all custom, its returning,
But I can never say such good has come
From you, clear night, for even now my song
Cannot subdue the matter of its yearning.

By Gaspara Stampa

I COME FROM THERE

I love this poem, Tropical Town, by Salomón de la Selva. The poet was born in 1893, in León, Nicaragua, writing in both Spanish and English. He was active throughout his life in numerous labour and political movements He died on February 5, 1959. I love the line ‘I come from there…’, suggesting that the poet is an immigrant, far from home, dreaming of the repose of the cemetery, ‘where the green trees are.’ So very beautiful.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL LOVE

Someone called Vivienne from Auckland sent this beautiful poem/piece of philosophy from Pádraig Ó Tuama to my husband’s Red Hand Files this week. Such a wondrous thing as it falls to its very most simple and touching conclusion. Thank you, Vivienne, for enriching our little corners!

GRETA BELLAMACINA IN VENICE

Actress, poet, filmmaker, style icon and dear friend, Greta Bellamacina prepares to take on Venice Film Festival in her bespoke Raspberry Vampire’s Wife Dress and Cape. ‘There's such a magic to the shape of the dress–and the colour. It felt very special. There's also this timelessness to it. A lot of pieces from The Vampire’s Wife transcend the decades,' Greta says of the dresses. We adore Greta here at The Vampire’s Wife. Love Susie. x Black Under Heaven everything lives unnerved tiny cups and scissors hungover lilies in heaven marching in glass on the table our child arranging the sky,...

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