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bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

0 posted 2003-07-24 01:43 PM

I walk between twin columns
that feed into the sky.
Were they built to hold the sun
or is this modern purpose?
Surely once there was a roof.
What war ever ruined them,
knocked the ceiling down around,
is lost.

Was this place a temple once?
Did walls hold up frantic prayers
while the soldiers stormed and surged,
armor clanging up the steps.
Was this place a library?
Ancient texts that did not live
to see the ancient texts that did,
silence of the fire.

Or a brothel? Men revealed,
unspooling, spreading selves within
the heat of revealed women left
fetishized in capture.
Or a court? Was this but one
of many buildings razed and burned --
perhaps a complement of structures
imposing, stark and frightening.

Men in shackles for their sentence.
A prison, then? A hangman's knot
would rot, the gallows following,
the towers standing guard collapsing.
What battle raged to leave this place
fallen, scattered, cold with age?
Gutted of past purpose,
remains and conjecture.

It could have been a private building.
Some small warehouse, hell, it could
have been a shed to store old things,
nostalgic sentiments.
Such questions linger, I will leave them --
books to books -- and calmly breathe in
cypress-scented air, and ponder
sunlight breaking on the frieze.

[This message has been edited by bsquirrel (07-24-2003 01:48 PM).]

Local Parasite

Member Elite

since 2001-11-05

Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg

1 posted 2003-07-24 02:14 PM

It seems like the war is really influencing your writing. The whole blasted landscape image that you conjured is impressive. I love the ending. Like turning the mystery away and coming to terms with it, pondering the sunlight breaking. Powerful image that one...

Lovely writing you have here, Mr Squirrel.

Parasite

Faith is a fine invention
When gentlemen can see
But microscopes are prudent
In an emergency.
~~~Emily Dickinson

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-11-18

Posts 7350
the ass-end of space

2 posted 2003-07-24 02:54 PM

Greek ruins? I only ask becasue this line would seem to suggest it

cypress-scented air, and ponder
sunlight breaking on the frieze

the cypress and the frieze...regardless another great write amd sorry I haven't replied to those at asots I read but didn't reply, i left because the silence was killing me

Marshalzu

Member Elite

since 2001-02-15

Posts 2681
Lurking

3 posted 2003-07-24 04:50 PM

Great writing

Andy

bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

4 posted 2003-07-25 05:17 PM

Greek ruins.

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-11-18

Posts 7350
the ass-end of space

5 posted 2003-07-26 03:25 AM

Sweet I'm batting 1000 lol
In Sicily i was able to walk through the ruins of an old Greek settlement ampitheatre and all.. an amazing experience and one that makes you realize how brief and insignificant this life is

[This message has been edited by Aenimal (07-26-2003 03:25 AM).]

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

6 posted 2003-07-26 08:59 AM

Only a moment to spare on the PC today, but I wanted to say I love this piece!
I felt as if I was in Greece again, as well as ancient ruins of Masada, Israel. And the poem speaks to me of so many things...I will return to this one after my move and vacation.
So good to read you.

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