Marbles of Rome

By hilary west

Sun, 10 May 2009
  • 1518 reads
2 comments
 

Ostia Antica, Italy, Ruins, History

 

Marbles of Rome,
Scattered amongst long grass.
Peaceful waters, aquamarine,
Behind trellis and rose.

Tarnished green cupolas and domes,
Rising above terracotta tiles.
Ceramics and mosaics,
Patterns beneath footsteps.

White palaces and golden walls,
Reflected in pools of pellucid blue.
Fountains and cascades,
Sprinkle rainbows.

An old Roman Emperor, thoughtful and wise,
His image now chipped and broken,
Lies next to Eros,
Statuary linking past to present when lovers kiss.

Searing hot sun on parasols in red and yellow,
And tanned skin of ample young girls,
Signpost of a new riviera,
A place of expensive boutiques and sleek new yachts.

Would Ceasar approve of his new Roman Army,
Laying on sunbeds, sporting silk shirts,
Driving the porsche, the coupe, and seeing time on a Rolex.
Or would he give the order to march ?.

Marbles of Rome,
Scattered amongst long grass.
Peaceful waters, aquamarine,
Behind trellis and rose.

Certificate 12
Poem
The Games of the Labyrinth : POEMS
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Geoff Smith on
Hilary, this one is really great! I love the way that you highlight the way that time changes meaning, that truth itself is inconstant, unreliable. Reminds me of 'An Arundel Tomb' 'Pellucid' erm - next stop dicionary.com! Loved it. Thanks. JM.

Thanks for reading. I am grateful for your time.

Submitted by hilary west on
Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting. The thing about time is it's now seen as money (The Rolex). People want it to pass, just to add to their bank balance.