Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday Morning Poetry

Ozymandias
I met a traveler from an antique land,
Who said- "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in a dessert... Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, the heart that fed;
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings,
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."
~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

14 comments:

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Wow, Relyn. This is the poem I have taught more than any other to beginning literature students. I adore it. I often think of it when politicians are blathering on about all their great deeds. I also find a strange comfort in two things: nature's ability to rebound and return the world to its natural state, and the endurance of the artist's message, always and forever revealing the hubris of those who believe their might is eternal.

I love your Sunday morning posts! Thank you, my friend! xoxo Gigi

Anonymous said...

oh i have always loved this poem. take me back to my school days.

Jennifer Richardson said...

Poetic irony....love it:)
-Jennifer

HKatz said...

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

I've read this poem many times. This line always sends a chill prickle up and down my arms.

I wonder sometimes too, hundreds of years from now, what shape our civilization will take, what will endure and what will be reduced to broken statues in the sand.

Jessica said...

Beautiful, beautiful! You know your poetry has become part of my Sunday morning routine. Get a cup of coffee and read Relyn's poetry, first quietly to myself and the aloud!

Unknown said...

Hi Relyn,

This is the second time I've read this poem this weekend. One of my poetry colleagues used it as her inspiration. If you'd like to see her poem, go here:
http://knockingfrominside.blogspot.com/2010/07/evocative-rather-than-descriptive.html

Although there were only two legs left standing for Shelley's traveller. I can certainly get a sense of awe when I look upon the works of Rameses in Egypt!

Ragamuffin Gal said...

Welcome back to MO dear friend ~
I love photos of angels and statues! This poem is so perfect for the last fleeting days of July.
Blessings!
~me

Andrea said...

Oh Dear!
I couldn't even read this because it reminded of my first collage poetry professor...UGH! He embarrassed me brutally when I tried to discuss this poem...He was a royal "_____"....
LOVE this photo though...
xo
Andrea

Hindsfeet said...

I was glad for all the comments on this post of yours, Relyn, because, to be honest, this writing went completely over my head (I am often a "bear of very little brain")...

...what a rich thing to have other eyes and ears (and brains ;
) ) in our lives!

: )

Suz said...

wonderful

Sue said...

I read it twice...and then I read Gigi's comment so that I would have any idea of what it said. I like some poetry...I'm not a huge fan and more often than not, I'm just left confused. But, I love to learn, therefore I read! Hope you are well and happy!

Patti said...

Interesting poem- I have never heard of it- love to expand my repetoire though! And the angel picture would fit my post wonderfully!! Welcome back!

ELK said...

she is so utterly peaceful .. lovely photo R.

Jeanie said...

Haven't heard this one for awhile! Thanks for reminding me.1

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