Can somebody please explain this poem?

[steven.smith]

I have read this poem, but I still don't really understand what is going on to be honest, so I would be very grateful if someone could explain it. It is Giant Decorative Dahlias by Molly Holden.

It was a mighty monarch's child,
Her cheek was pale, her eye was wild;
Beneath a linden's shade I press'd
The maiden to my panting breast.

" I will not have thy father's throne,
I will not have his golden crown,
I will not have his realm so wide,
I will have thee, and nought beside. "

" That cannot be, " the maiden said,
" Because I am already dead;
And but by night the sods above
I burst for thee, and thy dear love. "

[prendrelemick]

I half remembered a different "Giant Decorative Dahlias" by Molly Holden and a quick bit of googleing found something completely different.

So if the full title of above is " Giant Decorative Dahlias by Molly Holden" then you will have to reference the original poem - as it is the subject of your poem.

Here it is.

Giant Decorative Dahlias.

It is easy enough to love flowers but these
had never appealed to me before, so
out of proportion above my garden's
other coloured heads and steady stems.

This spring though, in warm soil, I set
an unnamed tuber, offered cheap, and,
when August came and still no sign,
assumed the slugs had eaten it.

Suddenly it showed;
began to grow, became a small tree.
It was a race between the dingy bud
and the elements. It has beaten
the frost, rears now three feet above
the muddled autumn bed, barbaric petals
pink quilled with tangerine, turning
its great innocent face towards me
triumphantly through the damp afternoon.

I could not deny it love if I tried.

(by Molly Holden)

That last line is the inspiration of your poem I think. So the maiden is that dahlia that the poet loves, and what if the love is returned? I reckon he is taking the piss out of Molly's poem by creating a whole love poem fantasy scenario around the situation. A satire if you like.

Or I may be completely wrong.

[singhjee]

prendrelemick already explain this poem but I want say thanks to prendrelemick who explain this poem in a such manner way.