empire

you can build an empire
with flesh and blood and steel
bend the world to your desire
it's the only one you feel

the simple minded will declare
that it cannot be done
but they live their lives without a care
and are blinded by the sun

craft some poignant phrases
to ensnare the wandering hearts
an ambitious fire that blazes
this is where it starts

consumed by your ambition
they will follow where you lead
use them without contrition
they are tools that you will need

build high your cities gleaming
give them many rooms to fill
with adoring populace teaming
subjected to your will

those that choose to rebel
should have picked another fight
their protests are easy to quell
you can crush them with your might

an emperor is what you will be
a god among mere kings
over this desperate world i see
you shall spread your wings

yet surely your ambition
has been built upon the rubble
of another's lofty mission
that ran them into trouble

for eternity you may seek
but this one thing is a must
the flesh is weak
the steel will rust
you can build an empire
i'll watch it fall to dust

Reviews

[Wildecat]

Excellent poetry, kept me interested all the way through.

[BLACKCRUSH]

Awesome poem . I really liked it . I hope you right more.

[Angel Baby]

Truly enjoyed your write, captivated me....thank you!

[Pax Analog]

Ah, a good anti-paean to the hubristic will of empire.

It rolls along strong and sure, rather in the mood of "Masters of War," only this war's waged by capital, ego, greed.

One correction: "teeming," for "teaming."

Empires always rise and fall in this vale of tears, in this roiling whorl of ashes.

Good poetry is news that stays news -- and yours does.

[Jaclyn]

Excellent job! I must admit, my poetry skills are limited to sort of trite romance and erotica poems, so I always give big props to anyone who can write something like this, use great imagery, make it rhyme, and NOT have it be about love or sex. This was kind of haunting, but I had to read it a few times because I accidentally scrolled down and thought you wrote the same two verses over and over again. Duh! :) I can't wait to see what else you have written!

[Sincere]

empires rise and they fall this write was very strong & powerful

very well done

[Eagle Cruagh]

This little poem shall become a classic and if it
does`nt then the world has lost it`s sight.

The first thing noticed is a neat little poem with nice
structure, it rhymes nicely, then it seems to mature, there
is a story here, no, more than a story this contains a moral.

As we progress through the poem, it builds, becoming more
complex until in the end the reader sits breathless as he watches
the writer watch this momentous structure collapse; "I`ll watch it
fall to dust."

Exquisite writing---- my favorite.

---- Eagle Cruagh

[darkgurl]

"for eternity you may seek
but this one thing is a must
the flesh is weak
the steel will rust
you can build an empire
i'll watch it fall to dust"

WOW! Such awesome lines here, so true too, this is a most wonderful and well written write, there is wisdom in this, you have some talent....Kim

[Philosophile. (Maddy)]

I loved the strong, intense words you used in this poem. Also, I enjoyed the symbolism. I had thought the poem was going in a predictable way in the beginning, but I was completely suprised by how you chose to end it. I also loved (I think that's a favorite word of mine) that you included flesh in the building of an empire.
Overall, this was simply amazing.