The words drip like acid
down the temple walls
and out into the streets
past the idle children
to the river where she sleeps
underneath the bloody waves.
I would wake her, thus,
with a burning
that cuts through the ancient silt,
the filth of ages
when they screamed and died
why was it that Beauty lied
when the women
lining the banks cried
was she still tied
wrapped about by the surly tide?
The words leap down from the parapets,
but only as pale pearls
on the way to the Ocean,
that Ishtar wept a long time ago.
Author notes
Written November 26th, 2004
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1 - 14 of 14
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A very nice piece of work poet. I was drawn into the tragedy of what seemed totally lost so long ago. I look forward to reading some more of your work.
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Know nothing of this topic, but enjoyed the skill with which you wrote this verse. Very well written.
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This was pretty good. I've recently studied the Euphrates River, and I find it fascinating, so I thought this poem also sort of broadened my knowledge of the lifestyles by the Euphrates in ancient times. Good job!
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great
This was from, “that Ishtar wept a long time ago” obliviously taken from dragonlance “The Reign of Ishtar” I believe? And is this talking about the Blood Sea of Inhtar? And how King Priest corruption caused all this? It does make me feel for all those that suffered under his visions of self grandeur, and maybe how this can apply to read life. very good write my friend… image and visions… -
the last line seems weak to me. but since i didnt really follow the other ones, i can only assume i didnt follow it either. in any case, interesting - different. good job.
Blu -
This is haunting ..
Made me start to flip through the Megiddo series .. again.
Lisa. -
APPLAUSE WORTHY
I wonder if you speak of a person that was condemned to drown in the river, or of the spirit of the river herself. No matter, the person lays dormant until your words quicken her life essences once again. I was taken aback by your tragic, raw poem, you've enslaved my poor bleak mind, and made it travel through the vestiges of your world.
I barely noticed your rhyming, and though I don't care for the rhyming, your poem overwhelmed me with its sheer power and anguished song. -
I truly wish I could offer words that would make sense, but I'm afraid I'm left speechless. This was wonderful.
Elizabeth -
ooh. this hurts to think of. a very beautiful piece..how can i constructively criticize when i find no flaw? thank you for leaving me speechless. ::tips hat::
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Euphrates........it has always been believed that civilization began here and would end here. The nations it divides to be the battleground for the worlds last war.
They could be wrong, however. I just saw on the news where they think they have proof that life existed in the state of South Carolina 50,000 years ago. That sort of blows the theory that man began in Africa, traveled to the middle east up into Russia, crossed the frozen Bering Sea, into Alaska.
Back to the Euphrates, where it all began and the suffering that continues today. It seems the poet also suffers but cheer up. It's only 2 months + 1 week till Super Bowl XXXIX and then there's the pro bowl and in just 6 short months, the opening kick off of yet another season of football. (hehe I can hardly wait myself.)
I think this is my fave of this series, even though there's not a bum in the bunch, this one is the most hurty, especially the 4th stanza and the parting words, I don't know.......maybe maybe not.
Desiree -
Much better. I be back soon with my philosophical critique, words of wisdom and prophacy of prophacy. Might even mention the pome too.
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Brilliant
I received such wonderful wordings from a friend, and for some reason, Lute, or another, it seems apt to leave it here as a comment on your agonizing poem:
"maybe, one day, we meet us, in every part of the universe, and laughing, about the beginning ..."
These words just made me cry ... and cry. How devastatingly sad is Beauty, and how sad, sad, sad words cry without sound right right through the Universe ... until the Restoration ...
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I'm drawn to this though I don't want to be. The acid words the ancient silt and filth. The bloody waves .. the lie.
I read Gilgamesh (again, since I was probably stoned last time I read it) not to long ago .. well actually it was long ago I guess it was summer.
Anyway. Of course this is in the Road to Meggido. Can you imagine if the River could talk?
I loved all the lessons on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Cradle of Civilization right there Iraq.
Your Muse is unrelenting ..
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Can it be true that I am the first to comment? How strange.
Beauty always lies, no surprise there. I like the suicidal words, leaping down from parapets - they'd rather die than be wasted by our everyday mutterings.
enjoyed this
~Scarlet
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