Monday, January 30, 2012

The Thunder-Clouds of Caesar

The thunder-clouds of Caesar are advancing,
Scorched heads of grain fall under Roman foot;
The cindered huts of Gauls, long since abandoned,
Stare, dark-eyed, at these passing Roman swords.

        Some Gaul had held his torch,
        Spread silently the fire on his home
        In death of dreams to take
        What power might be taken from his foe

But march on, mighty Caesar, conquer on!
Spread fear from Roman hill to Briton's end,
For man shall wear the laurel, crowned forever!
And earth shall serve a pantheon of men.

        The woman holds her child,
        Stares silent at his frozen, fading face
        To catch what bit of life
        May still be caught before he fades away

But stand, oh mighty Caesar! Give no way!
The least of these are not a god's concern;
Vercingetorix's mighty men lay slain
And Rome awaits triumphant man's return!

4 comments:

Lostariel said...

Beautiful piece. I'm glad you took the time to put it up.

Ezra said...

I have actually been locked out of the blog for six months, and have only just now been able to get back in. Thanks for your comment!

James Dunn said...

Wow...
...how terrible and callous man becomes when he worships his own vain power. And how so well expressed yet again by the hand of my favorite poet.

Laura Elizabeth said...

Wow, well done! Haunting imagery and good meter. You are quite the poet.