“Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,”
From Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ozymandias”
Greetings, dVerse Poets! Welcome to Tuesday Poetics. Today, December 7, 2021, marks the 80th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Imperial Army. Through the Lend Lease program, the US had been helping Great Britain and other allied countries, while officially remaining neutral. The bombing of Pearl Harbor brought the US into the war. There is a memorial museum there now.
Today I want to focus on history, but not necessarily on war. For today’s prompt I would like you to write about a historical artifact. Since we’ve had Sarah’s recent ekphrastic prompt, I’m going to exclude paintings—other than what you might need to see an object or structure. You can write about something as small as a piece of jewelry, a spoon, or an urn, as John Keats did in “Ode on a Grecian Urn,”
or write about the ruins of an ancient monuments, as Percy Shelley did in “Ozymandias.”
Or write about a building, a ship, a house, or a palace as
Thomas Hardy wrote of Hampton Court in “A Spellbound Palace.”
You may write about any object—a family heirloom, a museum piece, a monument, or a palace. The choice is yours, but there must be some link to history and the past. (Or to current controversies over some artifacts held in museums.)There is no length or style requirement. You might also consider Laura’s prompt from last week’s MTB on fragment poetry to write about fragments. 😏
Here’s how to join in:
*Write a poem (in any form) in response to the challenge.
*Enter a link directly to your poem and your name by clicking Mr Linky below and remember to check the little box to accept the use/privacy policy.
*You will find links to other poets and more will join, so check back later to read their poems.
Read and comment on other poets’ work–we all come here to have our poems read.
*Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog.
merrildsmith said:
Hello, Everyone! Welcome! Come in and enjoy something to eat and drink. In the dVerse Poets Pub, we have anything you want.
merrildsmith said:
A reminder that Thursday is Open Link Night Live!
robtkistner said:
Thank you for hosting Merril. This prompt will require some thought, but I hope to be able to deliver something.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Rob. I’m certain you’ll find something fascinating.
robtkistner said:
I wrote a passionate ode to a 1953 Studebaker Starliner Commander — to a car!!! 🚙Please check it out Merril — might be a first!? 🙂✌🏼
robtkistner said:
It was the automotive design that “drew the line in the sand” — now it’s time to move away from the clunky-chunky-lumbering-family-tank. We are now looking toward sleek and supersonic. Letting the European influence enter America. It was a huge deal at the time, though Detroit moved slowly. They were finally nudged awake. You can see the influence of Robert Bourke’s design now playing out still. Lean, clean, mean lines!
merrildsmith said:
I commented that the car looks like it has a face. 😀
merrildsmith said:
Sorry, I’m slow in to getting to this comment, Rob. I did read just read your poem. I don’t know if it’s a first or not, but you were very passionate about it! 😀
Ingrid said:
Hi Merril: I couldn’t resist this prompt, which took me back to my Ancient History days. I am so interested to read everyone’s poems! I would love some kind of festive herbal tea, if I may 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Ingrid. I’m eager to see, as well. Here’s a large mug of festive herbal tea!
Ingrid said:
Thank you! 😊
merrildsmith said:
Here’s more, if you want. 🫖
Ingrid said:
😊
msjadeli said:
Hello Merril and All. I have just the artifact in mind. Wandering off to write and will be back in a bit.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Hello… I will host the Thursday live event… be there when the bar opens and take a place at the bar.
merrildsmith said:
😀
Yvonne Osborne said:
I’m gonna try to remember that. My favorite place to be is at a bar.
calmkate said:
oh you caught my imagination with this one Merril, my love of a Greek man! So maybe a splash of ouzo with a slice of lime, for old times sake please 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Oh. . .sounds like you have some stories to tell. 😏 Here you go, ouzo with a slice of lime.
calmkate said:
thanks so much … he was sizzling hot!
merrildsmith said:
Oh my! 💓
rogblog666 said:
thanks for an interesting prompt
hope you all enjoy the live open night but i cannot be in two places at once.
will catch up with reading in the morning
night all
rog
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome. The Open Night is Thursday.
rogblog666 said:
I am attending another poets meeting sorry but have fun
merrildsmith said:
Oh. Enjoy!
Ron Rowland said:
Thanks for hosting Merril. You caught me in a playful mood, as my little historical artifact poem/song will attest to. I’ll take an eggnog with an extra shot of rum.
merrildsmith said:
I’ll be by in a bit. Here’s eggnog with extra rum. My husband may join you with that. He loves eggnog.
lillian said:
A little late to the pub……I enjoyed this prompt. I always wax nostalgic during the advent and Christmas season so my post follows in that vein. Will do some reading now and come back in the AM to read some more.
May I please have a cup of hot coffee with just a smidgeon of Bailey’s Creme in it, please?
merrildsmith said:
Hi, Lillian. Here you go. I will probably only read for a bit longer, and then finish in the morning, too.
Ain Starlingsson, forestbathing hermit said:
Well…a few pints of stout, please, for me and my memories, and in preparation for thoughts of ancient and classical history, and personal mementos, thanks so much.
merrildsmith said:
Here you go. One for you, one for your memories. It’s good this is virtual stout. 😏
fireblossom32 said:
What an excellent prompt. Thank you.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you! I’m happy you think so!
rothpoetry said:
This is an excellent prompt Merril.
memadtwo said:
This is a great prompt Merril. Not sure when I’ll have time to get to it, but I will. (K)
Quaranjavirus said:
Great prompt! I’ll certainly get around to writing in a bit, but before that, I’m thirsty for a glass of pineapple juice, I’d really appreciate it if you served it with ice and a fresh piece of pineapple on top! 🙂
merrildsmith said:
This bar has everything, including automatic service when the bartender gets distracted and takes a long time to respond. Hope you enjoyed your pineapple juice!
Quaranjavirus said:
Yep, I did, thank you!
merrildsmith said:
😀
Peter said:
My entry is about an 18th century clock from family heritage. If you click the Dutch flag you’ll find the Dutch version.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you very much, Peter!
Yvonne Osborne said:
I have a poem about a house. It’s only personal history, but history nonetheless so I beleive it will fit within the prompt.
merrildsmith said:
Yes, it fits. I left it very open to interpretation.
Mubashshira Rahman said:
Joining in on a poetics challenge after a very long time! Thanks for a topic that made me think outside of my own little world, Merril. 🙂
merrildsmith said:
With a lovely result! Thank you for joining us!
pvcann said:
So much one could include, thank you Merril.
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome. Yes, it’s difficult to choose. 😀
Xan said:
Not my best effort, but I’ve had a bit of a dry spell, so I wanted to write something. thanks for a thoughtful prompt, which I’m afraid I subverted a bit.
merrildsmith said:
Not at all. Your poem was lovely and thought-provoking.
hedgewitch said:
This is such an excellent prompt. I immediately thought of a subject, but it took me awhile to write it properly, or as properly as I was able. Thanks so much for this.
merrildsmith said:
You wrote a beautiful poem!
Xan said:
Thank you!
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