scheherazade

departed rulers and empires long gone,
beaten black dogs gnashing their teeth
like waves battering against the shore

a princess in a palanquin, resolved 

and resigned, dark lines on her eyes

confine a salt water sea dissolved

oil lamps and moonlight, buzzing
flies and jasmine flower white -

lining paths along the hidden groves
like the hanging gardens of babylon

hear the lonesome screech of men,
leave it up to their disenfranchised 

so-called enemies and friends

she disappears into the gardens,
stroking the petals of tiger lilies, red
and white, with her thumb and forefinger
and to herself she whispers “we were here”

Reviews

[NormaZ]

Beautiful imagery. I loved the idea that she disappears, but leaves her mark 'we were here'.

[emmajoygreen]

The past - history's lost glories, written with a distinct touch of place - as if experienced. recalled and recognized in wonderfully subtle but tragic language. ' a princess in a palanquin, resolved - and resigned.'

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, they were here. She was here...and those of us who write poetry now about wars and current empires, about enemies and friends...we are here, too.
Nicely done....the description is eloquent...
j.