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Poems - Cleopatra

Cleopatra

by Ozymandias

"Cleopatra was here,"
said the tour guide,
leering with the ugly inanity
of sun-bleached graffiti.
And I saw her there, indeed,
leaning against a pillar,
picking her nose,
waiting to be recognized
by yet-unwritten history.
But now, Arabs chase strands of her hair
down the harmattan, to sell them to tourists
with stinky breath.

"The most beautiful woman in the world!"
(a smirk of significance
directed at his audience
across the desert).
And we fell to fantasizing,
but all we could come up with
was lap-dancers and tarts,
seven veils already fallen,
mooning fat backsides
at a crowd of might-have-beens.

"Loved by Mark Antony,
the Roman general.
Your Shakespeare wrote about it."
An iota of recognition
as flabby bellies wobbled,
pursuing the Egyptian
down the well-trodden path,
recalling beery nights
of love avoided.
And, glancing over my shoulder,
again I saw her -
this time, sinking in quicksand,
one hand clawing hopelessly
at the sky which had forgotten her
as the earth moved on, impervious
to the claims of history.

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Tags: Cleopatra, history

"Cleopatra" | Login/Create an Account | 8

The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.

Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by Essex68 on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (04:38:16)

As I read this I get a very tongue in cheek feeling, It reminds me of “Ozymandias” By Shelly. Also I get a sense it’s very topical, with the changes I can see for Egypt coming in the future. Or on a lighter note you have been watching “Carry on cleo”
And can’t get those images of Amanda Barrie bathing in ass’s milk out of your head?

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by Ozymandias on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (05:36:41)

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by deepali on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (06:09:14)

I liked,
"Loved by Mark Antony,
the Roman general.
Your Shakespeare wrote about it."

The sarcasm and the vivid picture of reality, sinks in.
fond regards,
D.

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by Ozymandias on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (06:36:36)

Ideal und Wirklichkeit

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by maryanns on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (12:20:03)

Commercialism and the steady march of time... I often wonder if "progress" is another word for pulp fiction. Your poem is spot on, Rory... historic beauty marred. Best wishes, Mary Ann

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by Ozymandias on Saturday, June 30, 2012 (17:42:23)

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by liarbird on Wednesday, July 04, 2012 (01:12:11)

G'day Rory...
Words and photoshop paint vivid pictures Rory, and of course a few wines before the doors open can alter the scenery as well. You've offered me a shot of truth here Rory.
Thanks mate
Lindsay

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Re: Cleopatra (Score: 1 )
by Ozymandias on Wednesday, July 04, 2012 (01:31:46)

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