The Casket

A man delivered a casket

To the path outside my home,

I didn’t know what was laid within

The top was stamped with ROME.

And two Imperial Eagles stood

At each end of the lid,

I dragged it in, just curious

To what the casket hid.

The casket lid was made of teak

With edges lined with gold,

The box itself was scratched and stained,

And marked, so very old,

I waited till the sun was set

Before I raised the lid,

To see a gleaming breastplate there,

And wondered, as I did.

The bones within were old and grey

Beneath a leathern skirt,

And sandals, rotted at the feet

Lay in a pile of dirt,

The helmet was half covered with

The feathers of some bird,

That fluttered in a noisome breeze

While I said not a word.

I didn’t dare stare at the skull

That lay within the helm,

For just one stare from long dead eyes

I felt would overwhelm,

And so I went to bed and left

The casket in the hall,

To sleep until the early hours

Its shadow on my wall.

At some time in the early hours

A fluttering began,

Of some great monstrous bird not heard

For centuries, by man.

It fluttered blindly in the hall

While shadows from afar

Projected on my plaster wall

The word… SPQR.

I heard the plashing of the sea

The ring of sword on shield,

Of squadrons as they marched ashore

That called on men to yield,

While chariots of the Iceni

Raced down along the sand

With men, whose faces painted blue

Defended their poor land.

I heard the hall stand lurch and sway

And then come crashing down,

Where wheel marks of the chariots

Were deep, and later found.

My mirror, shattered where it lay

Was trampled underfoot,

Where particles of ancient sand

Were mixed with modern soot.

But sitting upright in its tomb

There sat a cage of bones,

All that was left, a Legionnaire

Who once had fought for Rome.

Its skull had drooped within the helm

As if all care was lost,

When native spear had overwhelmed

On this, an alien coast.

At nine o’clock I heard a knock

And opened up my door,

‘I think that you have got my box,’

‘I know,’ I said, ‘I’m sure.

They left it at the wrong address,

I’m glad to see you care,

But first you must clean up the mess

He left, your Legionnaire.’

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[E.P. Robles]

I am not a psychatrist, but from a symbolic standpoint, the casket delivered to the protagonist's home represents the unconscious, which often holds hidden and mysterious contents. The stamp of "ROME" and the presence of Imperial Eagles evoke a sense of power, authority, and ancient civilization. These symbols suggest that the contents of the casket may have connections to the collective unconscious and the enduring human experience.

The protagonist's curiosity to explore the casket despite its old and worn appearance reflects the universal human tendency to delve into the depths of the unconscious, seeking self-knowledge and understanding. The lid, made of teak with golden edges, juxtaposes the elegance of the conscious world with the aged and marked box, symbolizing the stark contrast between the superficial aspects of life and the profound depths of the psyche.

Upon opening the casket, the protagonist encounters a gleaming breastplate, old bones, a leathern skirt, and rotting sandals. These items represent fragments of the past, remnants of forgotten history, and discarded aspects of the self. The feathers on the helmet suggest a connection to the spiritual realm or higher aspirations, contrasting with the decaying state of the bones.

The protagonist's reluctance to gaze into the skull within the helmet reflects the fear and apprehension that arise when confronting the mysteries of the unconscious. It symbolizes the encounter with the shadow, the darker and repressed aspects of the self that can be overwhelming when confronted.

The subsequent experience of hearing a fluttering bird and witnessing shadows projecting the letters "SPQR" (definition: the Senate and people of Rome) on the wall triggers a vivid and transcendent journey into the collective unconscious. "SPQR" refers to the Latin phrase "Senatus Populusque Romanus," representing the Senate and the People of Rome. This allusion hints at a deeper connection to historical and archetypal forces, suggesting that the protagonist's encounter with the casket and its contents is not merely personal but also has broader implications.

The auditory and visual hallucinations experienced by the protagonist further symbolize the activation of collective unconscious contents. The sounds of the sea, the ring of swords, and the imagery of ancient battles evoke a sense of historical continuity and the echoes of past conflicts.

The collapse of the hall, the trampled mirror, and the mingling of ancient sand with modern soot signify the disruptive and transformative nature of the encounter with the unconscious. The destruction of the familiar structures and the blending of time periods suggest that the confrontation with the unconscious can lead to a profound reevaluation of one's identity and worldview.

Finally, the arrival of the rightful owner of the casket symbolizes the need for the protagonist to take responsibility for integrating the discovered aspects of the self. The mention of cleaning up the mess left by the Legionnaire implies the necessity of engaging with the shadow and the process of individuation.

As your reviwer I would aim to evoke the sense of mystery, history, and psychological depth within the poem.

I would employ vivid imagery, use symbolism and allusion to convey layers of meaning, and emphasize the emotional and transformative aspects of the protagonist's encounter with the casket and its contents.

The poem explores themes of self-discovery, the interplay between the conscious and nconscious realms, and the timeless nature of human experience.

BRAVO! What a beautiful poem!

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of a Poe tale. Don't see many such pure ballads on this site. Nicely done.