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Open Poetry #46
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The Drummer
| Open Poetry #46 |
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The Drummer |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, The oars pull them through the seas When there is not enough breeze. Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, Sixty men acting together as one Strokes of the whip accent his drum. Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, Chains ringing with strained movement, Till exhaustion leaves them falling spent. Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, The horn sounds and combat is engaged Ready for battle the warriors are enraged. Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, Arrows fly carrying back and forth fire The lash encourage any that start to tire. Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, Nothing can stop his steady pounding, Not the fire, the ramming or the drowning. Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, As the boat rows cross the river of death For those like him without breath. The moaning flute accents his drum A slower beat for the death boat to come Crossing the river Styx to the underworld Beneath black banners that hang unfurled The silent walking by his bandstand slow To some afterlife that none will know. Cerberus growls as they enter the gate Shuffling slowly through to Hades fate. Play a dirge for the shambling brood Set the tone and set their mood, Beat, Beat, Beat he keeps the rhythm, As the newly dead slowly parade in. They’ll accept what fate Hades will hand As he just stays there playing in the band. Gloom [This message has been edited by Professor Gloom (07-06-2010 03:02 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2010 Aszard Drazlom - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Bastet Member
since 2010-05-07
Posts 246 |
A truly brilliant poem. A clear and poignant picture of galley slaves at work. The music of the beating drums really creates atmosphere. And the ending in Hades somehow takes the reader by surprise, as endings should. Bravo. |
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Eldest Member
since 2010-06-15
Posts 177Alabama |
truly a crew doomed from the start, with a drummer like that |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Thank you, Bastet, Pleased you enjoyed. Thank you, Eldest, Doomed, perhaps, but aren’t we all? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. Gloom |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I'm kind of hoping "hell" is what we get out of and not into, Professor. Just in case we create our own reality. Ida |
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