BLUE NILE IN HER VEINS
At the edge of the great Sahara
In the antique brown sands slithers
The Asp, a species of Egyptian cobra,
Prize catch for the snake charmers.
In the golden times of the Pharaoh
The venomous snake, an instant killer
Enjoyed a special status in Alexandra,
A symbol of royalty, nothing lesser.
The king Asp, the pride of the palace,
Charmed by the beauty of the queen
Could never leave his protected place,
On queen’s neck he wanted to be seen.
His desire was fulfilled the fateful day
Cleopatra decided her life should end
As Roman torture might come her way
For she had the royal dignity to defend.
The regal reptile, confused, found it hard
But planted the kiss of death in royal style,
The venom of Aspian love mingled in blood,
In her veins flowed to silence the blue Nile.
May 4, 2018
"asp, which one of many are thee"?
I ask, "did you make your own way"?
"if so, I prithee the, go, don't stay".
"brought"? "you be the death of me"!
I ask, "are you the species she chose"?
"the asp of Egypt, the Egyptian cobra"?
"one fatal bite and I will not suffer"?
"asleep, no pain, I will my sad life lose"!
4/28/18
Asp - Poetry Contest, sponsored by: Anthony Slausen
ASP--
egyptian cobra
the modern Anglicisation
venomous Nile snake
not to be confused
with ASP application apps
internet access
4/28/18
Asp - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Anthony Slausen |
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.