Piteous the Legion

Sweep then across the flowing sea of time
to stand unseen amid a stinking horde
and there behold the rich who turn away 
or groveling poor that vaguely beckon—
surveying misery's grimy bounds of each.

Wretched feeble ones of withered limb
and clouded eye—ladies in their rags—
ignored by ones who might have paused and bent
but never did, to burden beggars' bowls, 
nudging them from darkness into light.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Toluwalope Gideon Avatar
December 27, 2016 at 3:39 PM
Oh! Beautiful! Very lovely. I love the use of language.I see alliteration flowing 'burden beggars' bowls'... Lots of imagery ' to stand unseen amid a stinking horde'... 'Wretched feeble ones of withered limb and clouded eye—ladies in their rags—'... Each line is worth reading over and over again. Going down to my fave, surely. Well penned, Mark.
Jerden Avatar
May 22, 2014 at 4:03 PM
Quite Shakespearean, methinks. That's what I like about blank verse. I really like the invisible time traveler motif. Kind of Wellsian.
Peterson Avatar
May 22, 2014 at 4:38 PM
Thanks, Roy. Several have commented on the poetic flow of my free verse poetry. This was originally posted as free verse. But then I chanced upon a blank verse poem and decided to try and convert this one to iambic pentameter. I wonder if such poetry as this is antiquated.
Thirtyseven Avatar
April 22, 2014 at 4:07 AM
A most enjoyable, moving read. For a Free Verse, your flow and rhythm are enchanting.
Peterson Avatar
April 25, 2014 at 10:31 PM
Scott, thanks for your praise, which sustains me and my frequently-disabled muse.
Sirak Avatar
March 11, 2014 at 7:13 AM
This is stunning in its sadness and brutal honesty. So many times we fail to see, to bend, to reach out.
Peterson Avatar
March 12, 2014 at 12:52 AM
Thank you, Monterey. I so appreciate your visits.
Bauer Avatar
March 10, 2014 at 7:46 PM
an excellent poem which inspired some reflection. well done!
Peterson Avatar
March 12, 2014 at 12:53 AM
Ilene, it's been so long since I've seen you on my pages. Thanks for stopping by and leaving reflective comment.
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