Valsa George Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

July- 22- 2026

Pick a Title. Vol. 58- Poetry Contest

Sponsor- Edward Ibeh

~Placed Second~

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To Dust

Men venture into actions and adventures bold
To amass wealth and keep treasures in their hold
Claim them as their own for a little while
Not knowing the cruel fate waits hostile.

Sand castles built will topple down
Kingdoms conquered will eventually drown
Their fall will cause resounding echoes in our ears
Unmindful, we move on reckless in top gears.

Trophies and laurels which are eagerly chased
Will be taken away and in other hands placed
Footprints will be washed away by apathetic waves
All we claim as ours will be looted by Time’s thieves. 

Even the mighty oak will fall and rot one day
The giggling stream may dry up on its way 
The victor’s sword or the gem studded crown
Will be covered in rust or dust with none to own.

Once gone, for us, no heart will throb
Not a single soul will be there to sing, sigh or sob
Leaving the dead to rot in the closure of the vault,
To life’s alluring charms, the dear ones depart.

Cold as ice, the dead will lie inert and still
Feasted on by maggots, rotting in the icy chill
Life and all its vain glory, will be defunct
And all mad fever and frivolous fret- extinct.

The power and position, deemed great
Shall come to naught in the gloomy vault
Yet we run and yet we straggle behind
Trusting in our power and prowess blind.

Lord, teach us not to run after illusory charms
Give wisdom to tame greed that harms, 
For, all that men rapaciously hold and trust,
‘Must consign to death and come to dust’ 

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Krishnanand Guptar August 5, 2026 at 10:43 PM Congratulations Valsa on your high win in this contest with a lovely poem on vain glory and material wealth. Indeed, the mighty monarch as the pauper, the most beautiful castle as the hut , fame as well as name will come to dust one day. Time is the conqueror of all. On its ring all have to fall. Particularly loved the last stanza. Wish you a splendid day.

Edward Ibeh August 4, 2026 at 6:44 AM Heartiest congratulations on your win in my contest, Valsa.👏 This is a great poem with stunning imagery and alliteration, especially 2nd line of 5th stanza. Very moving, I might add. Valsa George August 4, 2026 at 8:23 PM Dear Edward, you have never disappointed me. It is a pleasure taking part in your contest. Thank you dear friend.🙏

Sara Kendrick July 24, 2026 at 5:16 AM They say speak the truth and the truth will set you free, but that is only if you can abide by it and not many will abide by it. With money comes problems which are not the same problems of poverty, but problems just the same. If a person is possessed with money, gathering possessions, etc. it can be a miserable life for the people around them. Sara K.

Victor Buhagiar July 24, 2026 at 2:34 AM The good God knows how much wisdom we need, Great poem, my friend.

Paige Hind July 23, 2026 at 9:15 PM this is so honest, Valsa. imagine out bodies when soul is gone, feasted on by "maggots" -

Joseph P. DiMino July 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM What remains is the good we do one another...and the bad. Well written poem, Valsa.

Tom Cunningham July 22, 2026 at 1:47 PM Nothing lasts forever and to dust we shall return. Good luck in the contest Valsa. Tom

Sotto Poet July 22, 2026 at 7:34 AM Valsa, your poetry is a thought-provoking and philosophical reflection on human existence and the transient nature of worldly prosperity. The framework is consistent, and the imagery is really good in communicating the idea. The poem has a fantastic rhythm and rhyme scheme, which improves readability and overall flow. Good luck with the contest, and apologies if you couldn't fully grasp my poem. I wish you could email me any hard lines or words to try to explain them.

Kim Rodrigues July 22, 2026 at 5:31 AM The sand castles we build will topple down The kingdoms conquered will eventually drown… Cold as ice, the dead will lie inert and still Feasted on by maggots, rotting in the icy chill… especially the last two lines. Truth is truth…so what should we do…love

Anne-Lise Andresen July 22, 2026 at 5:25 AM - Our journey on earth ... always in search of "something" that is insignificant after all ... the naked truth wisely and great described, Valsa :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs