Sweeps, her golden barge,
as the sun sinks low,
serenely down the river.
Her entourage in silent stream –
a bask of crocodiles; how bitterly
they weep, as she for Caesar,
for Egypt and for Anthony...
All is lost...All is past.
Her hair – silken strands, weft
and weave in a breeze that blows
the stars around, as the Sphinx,
cold as the stone from which
it sprung, casts a knowing eye.
This Egyptian flower, this Cleopatra,
this Isis, or indeed, any other name
she may be known by, would smell
as sweet; her perfume, wafting
on the wind, whilst she sings
in a timbre that moves
the restless, shifting sands.
As if possessed – tears at her bodice;
rips apart her rose-silk gown,
and with trembling hand,
points toward the water,
and thus said Cleopatra,
“Bring me that asp – thereby
blithely swims... for I would hold it
to my heart; to think, to sleep,
to dream of dear Orisis and our castle
in the sky, for the gods inform me
it is done, it is finished.”
And as surely as the Nile
ran through her veins,
the snake – coiled
as Egypt’s history,
drank there at her breast,
and with dying breath,
Cleopatra speaks her last.
Comments
Beeme | February 18, 2011 - 22:14
This is stunning Tina- I enjoyed greatly. I've a very half-finished book about Cleopatra... but you've summed up her life in a very poignant and beautiful way. I love the last stanza in particular, lovely imagery.
Beeme xx
Silver Spun Sand | February 18, 2011 - 22:21
Beeme - your words mean so much to me. I've worked so hard on this today, and I could not ask for finer reward. Many thanks;-)
Tina xx
PS Have a lovely weekend!
fatboy74 | February 18, 2011 - 23:51
Fab Tina, a corker and a blinder. :-)
Silver Spun Sand | February 19, 2011 - 07:39
Thanks, fb. So very much;-)
camilla | February 19, 2011 - 08:14
lovely
Silver Spun Sand | February 19, 2011 - 08:43
Camilla - thanks;-)
seashore | February 19, 2011 - 09:19
Fantastic Tina!
Silver Spun Sand | February 19, 2011 - 11:26
Pleased you thought so, Coral. Hope you have a 'fantastic' weekend. Failing that, a peaceful one;-)
Tina
Highhat | February 19, 2011 - 12:30
Yes a perfect interpretation of history Tina- really good
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | February 19, 2011 - 15:55
Thanks so much, Pia. I learned a lot in the course of writing this, which can't be a bad thing;-)
Tina
skinner_jennifer | February 19, 2011 - 16:32
Beautifully descriptive in more ways that one.
Congratulations on the cherries, well deserved.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | February 19, 2011 - 18:27
Much appreciate you words, Jenny. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for telling me;-)
Tina
Dynamaso | February 20, 2011 - 00:34
Once again, you have blown me away. What a stunning piece - your hard work certainly paid off.
SundaysChild | February 20, 2011 - 00:58
A triumph Tina- I am in awe of your poetry. xx
Silver Spun Sand | February 20, 2011 - 09:04
Hi there, Dynamaso. I hope I didn't blow you away too far; you've only just come back!;-)
Seriously though, many thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | February 20, 2011 - 09:05
Sunday's - thank you;-)
shoe | February 20, 2011 - 10:49
Beautifully done, I love the first and last stanzas especially, but the whole poem is scrumptious.
Silver Spun Sand | February 20, 2011 - 11:08
'Scrumptious' - such a lovely word one sadly doesn't hear that much of these days...Julie Andrew's 'Truly Scrumptious' of course springs to mind.
Anyway, I digress, so pleased you enjoyed and it's great to have you back;-)
Tina
RachelPatricia | February 21, 2011 - 10:03
Beautiful take on the I.P, Tina.
Her hair – silken strands, weft
and weave in a breeze that blows
the stars around...'
Love this image - another gem to add to the chest, stunning, as always :)
Rachel xx
Silver Spun Sand | February 21, 2011 - 10:24
Rachel - your words mean a lot to me, and I thank you for them, as always;-)
Tina xx
MistakenMagic | February 21, 2011 - 17:00
'And as surely as the Nile
ran through her veins,
the snake – coiled
as Egypt’s history'
- love these lines, Tina. Such a rich retelling of a very famous story. You definitely do it justice. Very well done on the cherry!
Magic xxx
(P.S. I've voted for your poem! ;P)
Silver Spun Sand | February 22, 2011 - 10:58
Thanks for reading this one, Magic. I learned so much whilst I was researching it. It certainly is a fascinating subject and I am pleased you enjoyed my story of the events.
Tina;-)xxx
(P.S. Thanks so much for taking the trouble to vote for my poem in the 'Spring Fever' competition, and now it's definitely fingers crossed;-)
Indrani Ananda | January 4, 2012 - 19:57
Indrani Ananda
Glad I found this. This is the kind of poem I like the best of yours, exotic imagery and woven words. You are so incredibly prolific; do you write a poem a day, or now and again, having accumulated several books' worth? I don't know any poets, only songwriters, and I go through phases of not bothering because of lack of feedback. Finding poems like yours on here shows what a great encouraging showcase this site is.
Indrani.
Silver Spun Sand | January 5, 2012 - 11:42
Thank you indeed, Indrani.
This was a poem I enjoyed writing immensely, and I am really pleased you enjoyed reading it. As you say, ABC is a wonderful opportunity for us all to 'air' our writing, and certainly in your case, to give others immense enjoyment as well.
Tina;-)