Icons Set in Stone

How firmly they stand,
the spires of history
that no one can destroy.
What a curious melange
of hate and love
and yesterday's antipathy.

Indifferent they are,
leaving us their basic legacy--
shining, mocking; it is their heritage,
and the winds of change have no effect
upon a single word.

 

Within their shadow is enshrined,
the totality of every lie
and every truth we ever knew.
Tread softly in their midst--
It is rarified companionship they offer.
Dare we even to essay to smooth the path
historic footsteps made,
or cleared the way for ours?

 

There is no answer from the silent skies.
It is the empty flagon of serenity,
the hopeless void that stretches out forever,
calling forth the meditator to his bench,
and time to its eternal rest.
        ~

 

Reviews

[Dean]

Thank you. Yours and Sarah's remarks are both perhaps a bit too literal inferences (although certainly justified) but you both nevertheless do catch the essence. I think it is good that we have such markers.
They remind of us of continued opportunity.

[Tom]

Yes indeed Dean, there is also a spiritual message within your poem that speaks of great serenity and this too is heartfelt !

[Dean]

Well, that is an achievement that is always hoped for.

[Sheila Kline]

The icons that are bequeathed to us, whether they be those of the Celts, the Britons, the Aztecs and on on, are often mysterious by not giving us a reason for their existence, however these milestones of history are a part of our legacy too as they are part of who we have come to be, what pathway mankind has walked, and to some it is the lack of answers for their existence that prods us to think deeper, speculate, research and in that means we often discover facts we would have otherwise remain undiscovered. Myths accompany so many of them, but they are that - just myths as we do not arrive at the concrete answers in spite of our thinking, our speculation, our research and we can but accept that which seems the most obvious at the time - until another comes along and adds a bit of new information discovered in a reading, a map, an accounting of history.

Are we not as this as well - the man, the thinker? We refer to certain aspects of life as being "carved in stone", the truth perhaps accepted as truth too easily without enough evidence to prove our theory.
Then we live among the same set of icons, but those of our spirit, those of experience garnered from relationships of perhaps centuries ago. How do we regard another culture, another race, another view point? The great philosophers explored the "why and how" by looking into the very heart of a spirit. Is this how we should also ponder the great mysteries left by those who have lived before us, who have left evidence of their existence?

You sum up your thoughts in the last verse with what I also believe to be the truth - there is no answer to some of our mysteries, even until the end of time. Not in this life at least, but then what lies beyond?

We are a product of our past. How have these icons determined a part of our future - they all tell a story! They inspire us to explore, to continue learning! We are part of the mystery - another icon among the icons!

A wonderful write which I have enjoyed pondering....I am sure more thoughts shall spring forth. Thank you for the inspiration to rev up the brain!

[Dean]

I do thank you for your very careful read, and the time you took to thoughtfully respond.

[Sami Khalil]

The greatest monuments are the ones erected for love, knowledge , faith , art , architecture , champions of humanity which keep our history and heritage alive. Let us not forget their contributions and sacrifices...A great write...:)

[Dean]

You always boost me up. Thank you so much.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure , sir...You are one of the best on this site...:)

[Dean]

don't know about that, but thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)

[Lydia Shutter]

What significance do we hold in the vastness of the universe? We will not last as the statues and architecture from other eras did, but will we leave a legacy? Will our words matter? So much to ponder here. Wonderful imagery in this one, Dean. Lydi**

[Dean]

Our legacy grows exceedingly shallow, I'm afraid. We are essentially a materialistic society. Complementing that, since we are only 3 dimensional beings in a universe of many, our view will have to be limited, But, indeed, much to ponder. Thank you for joining me on the bench. :-)

[Tom]

Stonehenge comes to my mind, you can't change history though we can learn from it !

Intriguing and thought provoking !

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Aaahh...this reminds me of the statues on Easter Island. Standing beneath the towering monoliths of history and wondering about our own place in the grand scheme of things. It is in our very natures to compare ourselves to the world around us, to those who have come before, and perhaps those who will come after, and the truth is that we are but a cog in the machine of this life...and it is quite beautiful. Well written piece, my friend.

[Dean]

What a wonderful, thoughtflul analysis. Other than criticism (which of course is even better) this is the kind of reading and interpretation that I love.
Thanks to one whose brain is always engaged!

[Marie]

What happens happens...humanity changes, but not what humanity has left behind...