Windows on the world
Of this eternal light, this city brimming
With memory of massacre and masochistic
Delight, windows on a soul of fire
Brimming in the depths of those saluted,
Stirring in the sweat of the backs stretched forth in greeting,
These limbs, outstretched beneath your crumbling walls,
Drew cloth and steel against the flesh, your stone
Prison and theater, the spotlighted cell,
All eyes alive with the flames of your passion,
Round and round they circled, and still you writhe
With the congress of madness given yet delight
In all those souls who looked within and without
Your shudderless windows.
* Another poem for the wonderful Monday Poetry Potluck, as hosted by Jingle Poetry, and those lovely poets Amanda and Kavita! This week’s theme: Buildings, Landmarks and Monuments–for which I obviously chose the Roman Colosseum.
Amazing fit in the theme of Potluck this week! I like it!
congress of madness… great line
Dear Chris,cloth and steel against the flesh…
love every single WORDS on this, you have done a extraordinary job in portraying the downfall of a building, with implication in reality….
thanks for the support to our potluck fun, your contribution adds light to our collections.
http://thursdaypoetsrallypoetry.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/my-sister-lives-too-far-away/
here is one of my entries,
a poetry award 4 you and thank you for your support on week 9 potluck fun.
Enjoy!
xxx
‘shudderless windows’ – great ending. Playing on ‘shutterless’? finely-penned tribute to an ancient edifice
Cheers mate
Luke
(mine are here –
http://wp.me/pTeVg-cx
http://wp.me/pTeVg-cP
you brought out the best of the colosseum!
I loved this, and the building in question!
I think you have captured its past very effectively, a place of entertainment for many but a place of pian for others.
http://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/my-fortress/
Fascinating account of the colosseum, history lesson made beautiful in poetry.
I like this poem very much. It sounds great read out loud. Kudos.
A PERFECT THEME FOR THIS POTLUCK. CHEERS
This was a fascinating read, Chris! I actually shuddered on reading the last line! I was kinda HOPING that someone write on the Colosseum.. and I am super glad you did!! And you did soooo good! I really liked the way you have portrayed all the dreadful stuff that had to occur (behind the curtains sorta)!
A very fine piece… couldn’t have been any better!
Thanks for writing and sharing this one, Chris… (heartfelt)
Love the comparison between the marvelous architecture of the complex and the horrors of what was conducted within it.
Great job!
JP
http://tasithoughts.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/names-on-a-slab-of-stone/
Dear Cianphelan
Beautiful writing and I enjoyed it very much. Your words like ‘Delight, windows on a soul of fire’ was pure delight.
Thanks for sharing…
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com
I can only imagine the tales such ruins could tell if they could speak. But you spoke in their stead and you did it so well. A beautiful read.