From The Parthenon to Paris

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A bit of silliness I have been working on.

 

Let me tell you of a journey- from The Parthenon to Paris
in the springtime - of which real year, no one knew
Riding on an ostrich guided by a gilded leather bridle
traveling back roads dressed in mysterious disguises
using signals only ostrich riders do.
 
The endurance of the ostrich was as equally surprising as
the smoothness of its gallop on the road.
It needed very little in the way of daily edibles
while the softness of its feathers made a very comfy saddle.
 
Now an ostrich made an eerie sight in swaying fields of daffodils.
Its three-pronged feet so admirable for climbing alpine hills.
It handled every mountain as well as any Hannibal
with eyes adept to guide a sleepy rider while he slept.
 
The gallop into Paris was singularly memorable –
No wildly cheering crowds of proud Parisians-no-one knew- 
No showers of cherry blossoms sprinkled from the Eiffel Tower
in  praise or  celebration of this epic ostrich rider.
 
What evidence is there, then? What  memory endures
Perhaps a photograph or witness tells the tale
If the novelty is forgotten and the mists of time have passed

Could fields of daffodils remember or perhaps the Cherry blossoms?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025



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Date: 3/28/2025 10:13:00 AM
WOW!!! What a fun write/story and picture. Love It... Have a blessed day........
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Date: 3/27/2025 2:04:00 PM
Thoroughly enjoyable, Suz - and it provokes a lot of questions. Should we call it a prose poem? Do we need to classify it at all? Paris and Athens because of their cultural resonance, or for the alliteration - or both? Do you know those places? Thank you for the stimulation! Michael
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 4/2/2025 1:20:00 PM
Yes, Michael: I travelled there back in 1974. I was newly married and we were doing it on a budget. A EURRail pass, Europe on $10 a Day Book and a Youth Hostel card. It was so uncrowded but I remember the Pommes Frites were expensive - even back then.
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Michael Coy
Date: 3/31/2025 6:23:00 AM
Have you ever been there?
Delaney Avatar
Suzanne Delaney
Date: 3/31/2025 5:39:00 AM
Hi Michael: I think Vers Libre because this poem was started with no ending in sight. Just the journey and the mode of transport shaped the poem. AI with the image tried to make it credible and of course - who doesn’t want to be in Paris in the Springtime?
Date: 2/17/2025 6:41:00 PM
This is a fantastic fantasy. Ostriches are amazing.
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 3/31/2025 5:28:00 AM
Hilda. Pleased to have you visit and tickled you got this silly poem of mine. Best always, SuZ
Date: 2/15/2025 9:08:00 AM
Dear SuZ, I enjoyed the smooth gallop of this imaginative verse "The endurance of the ostrich was as equally surprising as the smoothness of its gallop on the road" -wow! I was captivated by the whimsical imagery of your splendid poem. The last line a grand and thoughtful finale to this fantastic piece. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 3/31/2025 5:26:00 AM
Thanks, Susan. I I so glad to have your thoughts on this poem that took a life of its own and your visit. Apologies for late reply. Bad Virus for 2 weeks knocked my socks off. Hugs, SuZ
Date: 1/29/2025 7:13:00 AM
What an imagination, Suzanne. This rates "off the charts" in creativity. Well done
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/31/2025 4:03:00 AM
Makes me happy you had a good time with this bit of silliness, Mark. Enjoy the weekend coming up. SuZ
Date: 1/28/2025 2:29:00 AM
Such a fun and whimsical write, Suz. You had me wondering...do people really ride Ostrich's (lol) Cutsie, wootsie read. Hugs Charlie
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/28/2025 2:49:00 AM
Hi Charlie: I think people have tried ha ha I know in Australia some have attempted to ride an Emu which is a similar large flightless bird. The idea must have come from somewhere. LOL.
Date: 1/24/2025 11:31:00 AM
This is very unusual and fanciful for you, Suz. Is it for a certain contest,? It is creative for sure. Love the ending
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/28/2025 2:46:00 AM
Andie- No - not for a contest this one. Just a word play. Trying to kickstart my writing again but my art and papercrafts keep getting in the way.
Date: 1/24/2025 4:58:00 AM
Enjoyed reading this! It's a funny image, the ostrich must have had quite a smooth gait. I love the ending question about the daffodils and cherry blossoms being the only witnesses of this momentous event :)
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/24/2025 5:17:00 AM
Sometimes it’s fun to go with my silly side, Becca. I like the quote on your homepage. Good connecting with you again. Best, SuZ
Date: 1/23/2025 2:06:00 PM
Suzanne, this Excellent poem contrasts historical monuments with the transience of memory and recognition. It explores the notion of an exceptional voyage that goes unrecognized and uncelebrated. It suggests that great events may go unnoticed and undervalued in history.
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/24/2025 1:12:00 AM
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Lassad: We can wonder why in real life some trivial achievements are overvalued where more meaningful life work is overlooked. Like say a nurse compared to a Hollywood star. Blessing dear poet friend.
Date: 1/23/2025 1:22:00 PM
Filled with delight and whimsy, SuZ! But, there is also a deeper message of the unnoticed quest! Enjoyed this fantastical journey so much! It brought to mind, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Loved sharing in your delight. Blessings!
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/24/2025 1:06:00 AM
Thanks for your reply Sam….It was a strange tale and I am not sure where it came from. I guess we are all on our own quest in the life choices we make or don’t make. Blessings back to you.
Date: 1/23/2025 7:36:00 AM
Cute, whimsical, well-written bit of prose Suzanne. Gotta love the photo too
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/23/2025 7:58:00 AM
Glad you enjoyed it, Tom. Yes that image. The AI designer in Microsoft is great. It generated exactly what I described.
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