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Glory of Greece (Travelogue)

Glory of Greece (Travelogue)

Infinite heaven reaches across
the Aegean sea; scant clouds
seed the purplish-blue sky.

Gods of Greece long ago
abandoned their crumbling halls
to wander among carob trees;
Daphne herself weaves
the wreath that crowns Pluto
as the ultimate victor.

The ancients walk in shadows
while dusty dreams drape fallen Doric
columns and hush visitors into stark silence
heard by weathered temple statues.

A voice from the present whispers,
"Let us give thanks to Olympus for the tourists’
steady stream--or modern Greece would
crumble into antiquity’s dust.
Let us pray: Long reign the tourist dollar,
and the thrice-blest Euro, ἀμήν."
Yes, Amen.

Style / type: 
Free verse
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Comments

You had me with the mythology with this one. Have you read Wonder Woman? Much of what I like of Greek mythology comes from her pages.
Have you thought of writing a structured western poem? You might find it interesting.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Been there a few times, very fun poem. Some parts of Greece have become so commercialized it"s like a las vegas version of itself..
Perfect length, i was just at the point of having enjoying the images and remembering my tourist trips to Greece...but wondering where the poem is going when you shift the mood to the wonderfully satiric and ironic.
Rather than Amen, which i think is more Judaeo-Christian, I would say "Yes, Praise the Gods"

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

ding-dong, that practically rhymes! lol. Now for a structured western poem? You know I had one posted but then removed it this morning because it's been hanging there without a comment for more than a day and I thought rhymed poems were not held in high esteem on this site. I guess I was wrong and will re-post it, soon. Wonder Woman? As in the comics strip? I'm somewhat familiar with her. But I really enjoy Greek as well as Norse mythology. Thanks for the welcome, and of course for reading my free verse.
Ali

author comment

I'm in total agreement with you on that commercialism in Greece, although that's something I encountered in all northern countries of Europe as well. Still, visiting these cradles of western civilization is always interesting; besides, as Mark Twain said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts." I have to ask my Greek friend to spell out "Praise the Gods" in Greek. Much of the language is still 'all Greek' to me, lol. Thanks a lot, Eumolpus.
Ali

author comment

The stories are based largely on her "patrons", the Gods. Ares is her chief antagonist and she is the champion of Pallas Athena. You would enjoy her. Watch the movie. It will be filled with mythology. It is also well written by Greg Rucka right now. Sometimes it is not so good, but I am a loyal fan and read it even when it is poor.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

I'll check out the movie for certain; sounds like it's one that's suitable for kids of all ages, lol. Appreciate the word.
Ali

author comment

this takes me right to the Acropolis.
And hell, the Euro possibly needs more than thrice blessing.
I love Greece and her islands and we go there when ever we can.
The one thing you haven't got in this fantastic nut shell, is the startling bright white light and sapping heat.
But maybe that's because I live in England...........
Thoroughly enjoyed this modern Greek comedy.
Jx

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I also like the Greek islands. Haven't visited Greece in a few years and doubt that I'll ever again fly--well maybe I'll go on a ship cruise, but I really hate the hassle. I have plenty of heat here in the US heat belt; 106 degrees F and rising. Appreciate your comment.
Ali

author comment
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