In honor of Poetry Month, which is starting next week, I’ll be analyzing a very moving piece of poetry, that was inspired by the books/movie Twilight. It’s helpful to take a deep look at some of the author’s subtle and inspired choices, demonstrating an abusive relationship in Victorian England.

Twilight Poem Untitled

by Camille L.

Oh wondrous as the twilight’s dusk
His hands, still neither coarse nor brusque

Bella loves Edward’s hands as much as she loves twilighty twilights (which is a lot). She explicitly states that the things she loves the most about them is that they are neither rough nor taste sour.

Caress his lover’s furrowed brow
And speak, with honeyed prose, a vow:

At this point, it’s clear that Bella is confused, most likely wondering how a man can be so careless as to let his hands become sour.

Edward starts to calm her by making her a promise while rubbing her forehead vigorously.

“My Isobel, with beating heart so sweet,
We find our nuptials at long last, complete.”

Edward has the unique ability to misspell Bella’s name while speaking.

He’s also forgotten that he was supposed to promise her something.

Said Isobel, a child of Vesta:

Here, Bella lets slip she’s actually a demigod, daughter of the Roman goddess of fireplaces, which explains her fascination with burning things.

“ And how long must I be sequestered?
With virtuous devotion, long abiding
Have I waited for this union’s guiding.
Now thine ring is on my finger
How much longer shall we linger?”

Edward’s forehead rubbing was enough to snap Bella out of her sour-hands funk. She now directs her attention to her most important problem: When will she and Edward finally get to screwing?

Sir Edward spoke, with irritation:
“Speak no more of our consummation.
Thou bargains with her own death giver
On your request, I shall deliver.”

Upset at her forwardness, Edward tells Bella to shut up, and then likens his penis to a murder. Then they screw.

Sweet Isobel’s eclipsed compliance
Thus coronated her alliance.

At this point, things get dark.

Edward covers Bella’s face with a pillow, before she could say whether or not she was actually into BDSM-sexytime. This is close enough to compliance for Edward.

With breaking dawn and glistening dew
Awakens she, refreshed anew.

Bella wakes up from unconsciousness.

“O foolish child,” his voice strained not,
“Look what your arrogance hath wrought.”

Edward blames his actions on Bella. It’s not his fault he beat her unconscious and senseless.

And so, the bruised and broken lamb, lain bare
Was safe within her lion’s snare.

Yeah… This relationship is going to end well.