Ode to Julian (The Apostate)

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bags123
Member

since 2002-06-06

Posts 128

0 posted 2002-06-08 09:57 AM

It's now twilight in the empire.
Discontents wash every shore.
The mighty deeds of Ceasars,
grace the peoples lips no more.

No heros march,in grand parades
Like heros from the past.
No cheering crowds shout praises
with the trumpets welcome blast.

Our weary legions choke on blood,
from desparate civil wars.
Ruthless generals use their armies,
like they use convenient whores.

The Gods seem disconnected
from the pain and suffering here.
Perhaps, it's just contempt they feel
when courage turns to fear.

I've seen our mother "Victory"
fold her wings and softly cry.
She knows Rome's golden glory
has grown old and soon must die.

But I remember one last struggle
with the nights encrouching hand.
when Julian assumed the throne
to take a final stand.

Educated in the virtues
of what freedom ought to be
He swore to champion justice,
and respect our dignity.

Our banners which had gathered dust
discarded on the floor.
Flew once again in triumph
on the wind that made them soar.

He battled to his credit
in the field and council chair
demanded free expression
to the bishops great despair.

For one truly pristine moment
it seemed honor was restored
Meanwhile...priests hatched evil schemes
behind the church's door.

No one can ever ascertain
the truth which history hides.
But, in conquest of the Persians,
a spear pierced Julian's side.

Some say the blade was Roman
thrust in by assassins hands
Some say that Christ himself had smote him
in that foriegn land.

What I believe is no concern,
all legends fade and change
When new power tells the story
its always rearranged.

I know the sun has set with Julian.
I see the road to darkness paved.
Apollo sits beside him
in his lonely, unmarked grave.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2002-06-08 10:19 AM

Just to let you know, I'm on my way out the door, but I shall come back to this, for the full attention it deserves...

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

2 posted 2002-06-08 02:02 PM

Ain't that the way....The only honest open minded guy in the crowd and what do they do? Call him an apostate and murder him. Things haven't changed much!
Good write Bags!

The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up
spaces of consciousness and resistance; to language oppressions; to
re-language historie

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

3 posted 2002-06-08 02:58 PM

Bags....you are making quite an impression
with your poetic accounts of the Roman era.

I do enjoy your words, muchly...

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

4 posted 2002-06-08 03:07 PM

Bags123,
It is an old story but you told it well. Enjoyed.

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-05

Posts 8296
Michigan

5 posted 2002-06-08 05:34 PM

What I believe is no concern,
all legends fade and change
When new power tells the story
its always rearranged.

This is so very true, Bags...
I really enjoyed your poem.

~ historic hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled" Gwendolyn Brooks

bags123
Member

since 2002-06-06

Posts 128

6 posted 2002-06-08 07:01 PM

Thanks all you history buff's out there for reading and comments. Julian always has been an interesting often overlooked enigma to me.
I've heard it said that had the Greco/Roman world persevered, we would have reached the moon somewhere around 800 C.E.. Maybe, maybe not, but there's little doubt that the early christian orthodoxy enjoyed the long dark ages, and did it's best to make it last.

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

7 posted 2002-06-08 07:53 PM

I really like this...I'm not usually a rhyme girl - but you know? This poem truly suits it, and you have definitely told it well..

K

[This message has been edited by Severn (06-08-2002 07:54 PM).]

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

8 posted 2002-06-09 02:20 PM

Very nice...James

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

9 posted 2002-06-10 04:39 PM

perhaps we would have. . .

yes, to bring back those days. . . perhaps in more than story. . .

well done and well told. . .

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