Ripened Fortune

I am at my core a student of history.

History sprouted from earth
stained with the blood of brothers,
spilling over centuries
onto the steps of the Senate.

From Gaul to Hadrian’s Wall
they marched in a phalanx
of might upon the roads
built for such purposes.

These civilized barbarians
held the world by the throat
in a subjugated peace,
a people grasping at eternity.

Borders stretched beyond
limits plunged the unsuspecting
into the depths of decadence;
fortune ripened to decay.

Now cats clutter crumbling stones
prowling endless stretches of history.
Assuming the role of feral emperors,
sole rulers of the ruins
that symbolize the end of an empire.

Reviews

[Creepy Swine Guy]

Also this stanza REALLY brings too mind a passage from President Kennedy's American University address ....

"These civilized barbarians
held the world by the throat
in a subjugated peace,
a people grasping at eternity."

Pres. Kennedy

"I have, therefore, chosen this time and place to discuss a topic on which ignorance too often abounds and the truth too rarely perceived. And that is the most important topic on earth: peace. What kind of peace do I mean and what kind of a peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, and the kind that enables men and nations to grow, and to hope, and build a better life for their children -- not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time."

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for sharing that. I was unaware of that passage and it truly filled me with emotion. That is what genuine peace would be. He was an eloquent man and a visionary. Thank you again for bringing that forward for others to read. You are the best.

[Creepy Swine Guy]

It's just when you're an old guy ... you've heard lots of stuff ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG2PwhT0TDc

[Rita L. Sev]

Humanity's arrogance paints its history, unfortunately... great job on this one, Blue.

[icelandicblue]

History is written by the victors, that is why we need to dig deep and remember. Thank you.

[Angel]

Sadly, as we do not seem to have learned anything from this dismal history...


It seems that we are doomed to repeat it.

[icelandicblue]

That is what Churchill said and it seems you and he are right.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

That was profoundly refreshing! I am a lover of history as well, but find it difficult to articulate through my pen. This is a very impressive piece, I applaud your pen hand.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much poetic heroics.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It was my pleasure.

[Creepy Swine Guy]

... and yet, we humans always seem to live in the supreme confidence that the Empire that WE build ... the CURRENT Rome ... will stand the test of time.

[icelandicblue]

We most certainly do CSG. You are totally correct on that account. Thanks so much for visiting.

[Baby Ricochet]

Ah Rome. Their history lets us know where America is heading

[icelandicblue]

I believe so too. Thanks BR.

[Frieda P]

Deeply profound, somewhat disturbing read from your pen Anne, but then again, this sort of thing always should be, mega impact here and profusely thought provoking.

[icelandicblue]

What is an empire but a conqueror? Thanks so much for reading Frieda.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow does this ever remind me of joan baez singing dylan's "with god on our side"--

we can start wars, kill in the name of democracy, and it's all good as long as god is on our side and we are deemed "the good guys"---but in reality, we are just as barbarian...as they.

jacob

[icelandicblue]

I am honored by the comparison. Your reviews always brighten my day.