The autumn wind of fourteen-
ninety- nine
Blew over Basel in a crisp, sharp
line,
Where Swabian battles found their
silent close,
And from the ash, a sovereign
peace arose.
On twenty-second days of that
September chill,
The ink was dried, the clashing
swords were still.
The Holy Empire loosed its ancient
hold,
As Swiss resolve was etched in lines
of gold.
The treaties signed, the mountain
cantons free,
To chart their course of armed
neutrality.
While far away, across the shifting
deep,
Old empires woke from centuries of
sleep.
The month drew closed, the
modern world awake,
With every bond the Swiss had
dared to break.
A second half of autumn, fierce and
grand,
That drew the borders of a fearless
land.
It was time for them to face the out of doors.
Five weeks ago, I planted them indoors as seeds.
Yesterday, I planted the little tender plants in the garden.
By nightfall, they were being beaten by the wind and
rain, and it seemed that their likelihood for survival was
dim. Today, I proped them up, providing a little stick to lean on until they get strong. I am certain that they will be strong and grow to produce some good produce for my family.
In a couple of months, our little garden will be filled with tomatoes, cucumbers, basel, and celantro.
042425PS
Art’s going bananas well nigh--
Apple still of many an eye
And an object of art
Winning no mean a heart,
Why a banana taped for millions vie--
A fruit best in ape’s hand,
In lewd limerick’s land,
Is out today all logic to defy.
Food has long been an art,
Art as food my sense thwart,
Why I hear Ecuador’s desperate sigh.
___________________
Happenings |18.11.2024|humour, art
Poet’s note: Banana has the art world in a tizzy. Maurizio Catalan’s work, Comedian (a single banana taped to wall) has sold for over six million dollars at Sotheby’s auction. The same thing, when put up at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, had left people in shock. But don’t we live in a topsy-turvy world? Ecuador is the biggest exporter of bananas in the world.
I am walking around Basel
The city not the herb
I’m not doing a Basel
Because Basel is not a verb
The streets spew tongue twisters
From mouths of many shapes
Beautiful river vistas
With succulent seedless grapes.
In a few hours I wish to emigrate
Set up my life in this efficient city
After a while I understand
It’s not that good, it’s a pity
I’m leaving this multi-lingual haven
Flying to a single language home
knowing the food in the railway station
will satisfy the fussiest gastronome.
David Cox 24/07/24
Mountains of my life
never forgotten.
Rivers of my veins
flowing through my memories.
Green Swiss valleys,
far from my sight,
but always close to my heart.
My Alps where I was born,
bring to me the fresh air
to breath again.
I remember those summer days,
with my feet
into the shore waters
of the Rhine river,
or the long walks across
the charming countryside.
Oh, bohemian Basel...!
my birthplace.
Oh, my lovely Switzerland...!
you will always be my first steps,
my unforgettable dream,
a treasure in my mind...!
THE DEVIL’S ROOSTER
Basel put on trial
Rooster lays the devil’s egg.
Danger averted,
Burned at the stake like martyr.
Swiss farmers can rest easy.
You keep money secure thank you bank
Financial institution you are high is rank.
Accepting deposits you create credits see,
Honey is collected too flower thanks bee.
Keeping people happy you share interest,
This may be compound this may simplest.
Bearing mortgages also you provide loan,
At due time you collect due is too known.
Of their current liabilities under torsion
Liquid assets are equal to only a portion.
Under policy of special gazette of nation,
Fractional reserve banking rules relation.
Liquidity in minimum capital you ensure,
Basel accords base you then us you assure.
Moving around you I observe the bankers,
In material life money matters say anchors.
Diamond you keep, silver you keep gold,
In safe locker all keep ornaments do hold.
Old you are new you are I hold inner core,
Values, virtues are my wealth feels chore.
Management of selfless banking is shown.
Safe banking I do on line on myself own,
I am soul the original bank of power light,
Supervisor of my bank is God is very right.
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.