RUDOLPH VALENTINO
“Valentino Home Today”
The following poem was published in the Independent Daily News on the day that Valentino’s body was returned to Hollywood.
“VALENTINO IS HOME TODAY”
By Oliver Allstorm
Valentino is home today
In a casket gray
From far away.
His hands are folded on his breast,
In sweet repose
And peaceful rest,
While mourners pray.
He sleeps like one a-wearied sleeps,
Nor shall he wake –
For Pola’s sake –
Nor shall the winds upon the shore
Where waters crash
And billows roar
His slumbers break.
He loved, his art was always love,
His love an art
That gripped the heart.
And now, tho’ buried from our view,
He lingers still –
The lover true –
Loath to depart.
The sheik shall move across the screen,
On desert sands –
In many lands –
And press a kiss on Sapho’s lip.
But O we miss
The fervent grip
Of his warm hands.
The living voice of him we loved
The laughing bell –
We knew so well –
Is stilled and silenced with his clay.
Nor can he see
Our tears that say –
Farewell! Farewell!
Here in the vale of golden dreams –
Here in the “west”
He lies at rest.
An Abelard, whose tomb shall be
Love’s trysting place
While souls agree
That love is best.
He lies and feigns that he is dead,
Who can not die
While lovers sigh.
‘Tis only man’s “location” ends.
This scene is best
To be with friends
While eons fly.
At home today with those he loved.
And he shall keep –
His slumbers deep –
Like one wrapped in immortal dust.
We leave him thus
Alone to sleep –
Because we must.
SOURCE: Independent Daily News, Los Angeles, September 6, 1926
____________________________________________
Tags: Rudolph Valentino
