My Thoughts On "destruction"

Whene'er I look at Thomas Cole's "The Course of Empire" set, I always pause and double take A painting worth my fret. Of course, it's not "The Savage State", And it's not "Arcadian"; The one that scares me most of all's Known only as "Destruction". "Destruction" is a rightful name For what is taking place; It sends a shiver down my spine, What this design conveys. The ivory Colossus stands, But not aesthetically; The head is lying on the ground Below Colossus' feet. The bridge that carried big parades Is sinking in the bay; The makeshift bridge of tarp and rope Is slowly giving way. A cloud of smoke conceals the sky And hovers overhead; The sun cannot be seen for miles And still still, it isn't dead. The enemies are taking all, From markets, homes, and lives; They plunder, pillage, rape, and kill Whatever stops their eyes. The agony of being changed Into a line of ruins, It must be hard for some to grasp, But not for me. Maybe I'm just cynical, Maybe I'm a nut; Call me crazy if you will, Insane, or just somewhat. But really, can you blame me if I find this picture frightening? I know it's just a canvas in A frame under a cheap lighting. I cannot help but think that we're Inside the "Consummation" state; With drunkenness and merriment, I fear that this will be our fate. With celebrated heroes carved From mortar, marble, bronze, and stone, We're letting our awareness down, Ignoring all that should be done. I don't know when the time will come; This frightens me the most; They'll say "Sic transit gloria mundi" As we become a ghost.