The garden of desire

Name: The garden of desire
Author: Edna Worthley Underwood

By Edna Worthley Underwood

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Poetry Romance

About This Book

A sequence of lyrical sonnets presents a speaker's turbulent affair with a cloistered man who adopts monkly gestures, blending erotic passion with religious imagery. The poems shift between fevered physical desire and remorse, recalling gardens, seasonal storms and rains, southern sunlight versus northern restraint, operas and memory, and sensual landscapes that both tempt and chastise. Repeated metaphors—garden, storm, bridal veil, crimson roses—underscore the tension between longing and penitence, while reflective moments acknowledge aging, guilt, and the search for solace amid erotic transgression.

About the Author

Edna Worthley Underwood

Edna Worthley Underwood was an American author known for her contributions to early 20th-century literature. She explored themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships in her works. Her notable book, "A Book of Dear Dead Women," reflects her unique narrative style and emotional depth. Underwood's writing often delves into the intricacies of women's experiences, making her a significant voice in her era. In addition to this work, she also penned "The Garden of Desire" and "The Taste of Honey," further showcasing her literary talent and thematic concerns.