Everybody knows the famous poem "Ozymandias," by Percy Bysshe Shelley, which reflects on the transience of power and fame. I recently ran across this wonderful little poem by Arthur Guiterman, a poet of whom I'd never previously heard, known for his humorous light verse. Today's poem is a wonderful comment on how things might turn out in the long run for ... say ... Der Furor ...
On the Vanity of Earthly Greatness
by Arthur Guiterman
The tusks which clashed in mighty brawls
Of mastodons, are billiard balls.
The sword of Charlemagne the Just
Is Ferric Oxide, known as rust.
The grizzly bear, whose potent hug,
Was feared by all, is now a rug.
Great Caesar's bust is on the shelf,
And I don't feel so well myself.
Having just had my right knee replaced earlier this week, I've felt better ... but I like to think I'll have made more of a positive impact on my world than have people like Der Furor and his followers.
Have a good day and enjoy the rest of your weekend. More thoughts coming.
Bilbo
"Everybody knows the famous poem "Ozymandias,"
ReplyDeleteNot quite everybody.