The Pope and Michelangelo
(A Song of Editing)
The Pope said, “Buonarroti,
Paint on this ceiling tall,
Some scenes from Holy Scripture
And frescoes on the wall.”
The Artist set about it.
He laboured all year long,
And every wondrous brush-stroke
Was like an angel’s song
Ars longa - vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.
The Pope came for a look-see;
He gazed around and said,
“Oh yes, it’s very nice, but
You should use much more red
This work just isn’t finished,
It’s not a perfect ten.
Splash on some extra scarlet,
I’ll papal-seal it then.”
Ars longa - vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.
The artist started over
(I must say – in a huff!).
The Pontiff popped his head in,
And said, “Still not enough.”
The artist mixed his colours
With sunset-crimson full,
And, making his work ruddy,
Said, “Ruddy Papal Bull!”
Ars longa - vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.
His Holiness came back there,
And said, “You’ve used too much.
The way it was a month ago
Showed such a gentle touch.
The artist held his temper,
And started work once more,
To make the Sistine Chapel
The way it was before.
Ars longa - vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.
The Pope came to the Chapel,
And thence to Mich’s home,
To say he thought the ceiling
The best in all of Rome;
But leaving, paused at “David”
And, pointing with his stick,
Said as an afterthought, “Put
A fig-leaf on that dick!”
Ars longa - vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
Would you rather be the Pope,
Or Michelangelo?
MORAL:
The moral of this story
(easy enough to follow);
Ars longa – vita brevis,
Editor esse nolo!
Crowds flock to the Chapel,
For Buonarroti’s fame;
But as for the poor Pontiff –
Why! – no one knows his name!
Author notes
No offense is intended to my lovely Catholic friends by the theme of this poem, which is all in fun.
Written June 9th, 2006
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 39 of 39
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Very Funny
A really clever and funny (I'm still shaking With laughter)Poem I liked the totaly unexpected ending too
Good Stuff Great Fun loved it.George -
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I'm glad you enjoyed it, George.
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oh my!
lovely write and what a moral!
lol
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aj, I had SO much fun with this one. It helped me get a lot of anger out of my soul.
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NO COMMENT
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The poem reflects an ancient tradition of mankind. Idiots appointed by fools coerce great minds to do their magic, intending to be praised in history books written by braindead people. A war with France permitted MA to briefly elope pope Julius' assignment. Unfortunately it ended too soon. The good part of it is that it left the world some nice paintings, in spite of the interference of the holy see. Thank you for creating and sharing. Take care,
Chris
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Chris, I think I missed this comment when you posted it. It reminds me very much of Frank Zappa's definition of rock journalism! Thanks for your visit and appreciation.
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Dear Ms. Veck(Thanks)
What did they ever do with all that scaffolding?
Probably made diving boards for the swimming pools of Rome's affluent.
Very funny! Though I'll tell you something, if the end of the world comes, I don't want to be closer than fifty feet from you!LOL
John-USA
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Johnny, you don't have to get even that close if you don't want to!
The scaffolding? Oh that was used for the Irish attempt to scale Mt Everest.
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I feel it only appropriate to give applause to my second favorite poem ever written.
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'Second' favourite? I thought this was your favourite? Nice to get your applause though
(Ah... I get it now... someone else wrote your favourite)
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hey, that's ok - so was Michelangelo
Glad you liked it.
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hey im catholic hehe but this was funny.. gotta enjoy life in some ways we d
ehehe thanks for sharing this and keep up the awesome poetry here.
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Ta, Michael!
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"When I am finished!"
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Nicely done!
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I can still see Michelangelo (Charleton Heston) grimace as the Pope asked him "When will make an end?" I found this piece to be quite humorous.
Regards,
Leo Long
ps. Thanks for reading and commenting on my work. I do appreciate it very much.
pss. Thanks for giving such a detailed critique of my poem "Forgiven". I welcome all such comments because that is how I learn to improve my writing. -
Hey GunRunner - by the way it's only "Dog Latin", not the decent stuff. I haven't studied Latin since I was a girl, and even then it wasn't exactly on our syllabus at school. Thanks for your comments, glad you liked the poem.
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that was very nice! I'm gonna send a copy of this to my Latin teacher from high school - he always loved a good pope story, and has a real fetish for Latin poetry. Great stuff!
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Hi Tangle - I just knew you would like this one
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Scribs, it came from a run-in with an editor with an over-inflated sense of his own importance. I am glad you like it.
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Dear Mairi,
An amazing poem, you fill it with art, history, humor, and your grand touch which makes everything old new for us again.
LMAO on the picture pack.
Tang -
Where did this come from. It's great. Very well done my friend.
Scribs -
(I think)
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It means the same as the concatination of eternal verities, in the sphere of cosmic illumination.
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You totally nailed the prominence with this one. Oh, how words can be combined with pictures to create multi-toned imaginary visionaries! I don't know what that means but it sounds creative.
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Thanks Merc - sorry to be stingy with returning applause - I am collecting points for a contest.
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excellent
A little light-hearted irreverence never hurt anyone, in fact it's often an excellent remedy for constipation. A really fun piece to read- and who said religion had to be without humor anyway. If the more orthodox people don't see the humor in this, then they were probably stodgy stones that needed to be turned anyway.
All the best,
Mercury Rising
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And peace and harmony to you, shzoosy shzoo!
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tee hee hee. I knew you would appreciate it, Shiny Sister. I will be ahead by a cricket score by the time I am through.
Edited on Jun 10, 3:09 p.m. because ''. -
now who would want to put a figleaf on such aproud display? this was very humorous MB...peace and harmony...shzoosy
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Hooooooray! That makes MB 2, editor 0 - I love it! Gone to find applause button now...as promised, as deserved! Shiny Sister
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LOL thanks a lot, Flower.
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i like this, the picture alone cracke dme up.. thanx for sharing! something as creative as this would never be written or typed or said from these hands and this mouth, you are talented and creative keep up the poetry!
best wishes
Abused Flower
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Hi Summer. Glad you liked it.
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OMG, I loved it! It was funny and I think it was a fun read all in all!
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Well hi and thanks for reading it - my, my you were quick. I am glad you liked it
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lol i loved it! im not offended at all by this poem. hmm i would rather be michaelangelo because his name is remembered, though i dont think he felt that way at the time. neways great poem, keep up the good work!!
gracie -
lol i loved it! im not offended at all by this poem. hmm i would rather be michaelangelo because his name is remembered, though i dont think he felt that way at the time. neways great poem, keep up the good work!!
gracie
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