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El Ultimo Suspiro Del Moro

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The last sigh of the Moor, King Boabdil, As he flees the triumphant Ferdinand, Echoes round slopes of a mist-shrouded hill. He looks back for the last time at the land That he once ruled. `Weep as a woman will,’ His mother jeers behind her jewelled hand, `For what you would not defend as a man!’ He stares northwards as long as he can, Marvelling at the distant snow-capped hills Gently cradling the Alhambra’s walls, Its towers, placid ponds, and sparkling rills, Treasuring them. Later, when he recalls This scene, he deems its loss the worst of ills That ever befell him, and, saddened, falls To yearning for water from those mountains And the Generalife’s dancing fountains. A tale as romantic as any told - This Moorish palace of earthly pleasure, Its red stone, now mellowed to pink and gold, Is a wonder of the world to treasure. Like Boabdil, I want to hoard and hold Its magical light, and, for good measure, The sound of Granada’s gurgling streams In my mind to recall in pleasant dreams.

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Line Gauthier

Date: 1/20/2021 4:21:00 PM

What a magical portrayal of a beautiful land ~ so glad this was published in the 2020 PS Anthology ~ well penned, Alexander.

Dean Wood

Date: 7/12/2017 2:50:00 PM

This is wonderful. So smooth and easy to read and get lost in. I am unfamiliar with this form so I'll have to do some research. Well done Alexander! - Dean

Alexander Blackie
Date: 7/21/2017 11:22:00 AM

Hi, Dean, thank you for your lovely comment. Ottava rima started off with Boccaccio and the become anglicized by Blake, Keats, Shelley and Byron. It's a great form for creating long narrative poems. - Alex

Darren White

Date: 6/29/2017 3:27:00 AM

Oh, now you really took one of the places in the world I love the best! I've wheeled along the poem engraved in the walls, and read it in Arabic. Wonderful Ottava Rima, flows naturally. Welcome to PoetrySoup :)

Alexander Blackie
Date: 7/20/2017 5:25:00 AM

Hi, Darren, many thanks for your kind comments and apologies for the delay in acknowledging them. I've visited the Alhambra several times over the years (before they rationed time access to it!). The "Red Fort" is a miracle of design, craftsmanship, and serenity. I believe it to be one of Islam's greatest achievements. Alex