SHADES OF LOVE 1

PIERRE AND GILLES
(photo: Dimitris Yeros)

CHANDELIER

In a small bare room, four walls no more,
and draped with plain green cloth,
a lovely chandelier burns and blazes;
and in its every flame kindlesa lustful passion, a lustful urge.
In the small room that glows,
lit by the chandelier’s strong fire,
by no means common is the light emitted.
Not intended for timid bodies is this warmth’s sensual delight.

*****

CHARLES HENRI FORD
(photo: Dimitris Yeros)

TO CALL UP THE PHANTOM SHADES

One candle suffices. Its soft flame
fits things better they will be more gentle
when they come when Love’s Phantom come.

One candle suffices. This room tonight
must not have too much light. All fallen in reverie,
in perfect control, and with the dim light,
just so, in reverie I will form visions for them
to come, the Phantom Shades of Love to come.

Dimitris Yeros: Shades of Love
Photographs inspired by the poems of C.P. Cavafy (Insight Editions, 2010)
Translation: David Connoly

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Pierre et Gilles, Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard, are French artists and romantic partners. They produce highly stylized photographs, building their own sets and costumes as well as retouching the photographs. Their work often features images from popular culture, gay culture including porn (especially James Bidgood), and religion.

Charles Henri Ford (February 10, 1913 - September 27, 2002) was an American poet, novelist, filmmaker, photographer, and collage artist best known for his editorship of the Surrealist magazine View (1940-1947) in New York City, and as the partner of the artist Pavel Tchelitchew. (en.wikipedia.org )