Keith D Trestrail | + Follow Poet |
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A Cautionary Tale

Great is the battle, small the victory
  when all that is won is lost to mankind -
in this war of worlds its great casualty 
  is the fallen consciousness in our mind.
From spear tip and arrowhead to smart bomb
  or Ptolemy to Hubble looking glass,
Luxor hieroglyphs to CD Rom -
  from the Bronze to Silicon Age we pass.
Primeval footprint, genetic blueprint,
  sandstone castles under canyons of steel -
gone are the Caesars and Pharaohs extinct
  and there’s a cautionary tale so real.
Civilisations that with hubris act
fall a ruin, a remnant, an artifact.


          Written: August 2004

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Gershon Wolf Date: 7/18/2024 7:24:00 PM So true. Western Civilization is the 'Living Dead.' You have written it so well here. And in hundreds of pages less than Arnold Toynbee, to boot! Bravo! ~ Gershon Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/20/2024 4:31:00 AM It has all been prophesied. The end days are near.

Mark Massey Date: 7/17/2024 3:11:00 PM Keith, Your entire poetry collection is excellent, and this sonnet is no exception. I have sifted through most of your works and there’s no doubt. But, your prose is second to none. It exposes an inner warmth and sincerity that you keep hidden beneath a tough, outer shell. You have a prose style that reminds me of F. Scott…it flows like wine. I can’t express it any better than that. Your prose is a gift to PS. Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/18/2024 4:36:00 AM And Max the wonder dog is living his best life. He really landed on his feet when I showed up at the animal rescue shelter. Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/18/2024 4:33:00 AM Mate, you can stop by anytime. High praise indeed from easily one of the finest, if not the finest, weaver of words on this site. Your opinion means a lot. Take care, champion. Mark Massey Date: 7/17/2024 3:47:00 PM P.S. I hope Magical Max is doing OK…

Laura Leiser Date: 7/16/2024 9:27:00 PM Finely worded historical look at the fall of civilization, Keith. It is hard to see the downfall of a great country..God help us! Great poetry! Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/17/2024 4:01:00 AM It ain’t over yet, Laura. Keep the faith. Hugs.

Arlo Parker Date: 7/16/2024 6:49:00 PM The literature documenting where we've been and where we're headed is unassailably clear. Read it and weep or hold fast and watch Eden renew. Nothing new under the Sun. :o// Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/17/2024 3:59:00 AM Yep, there’s only one kingdom that matters. Cheers.

Frederic Parker Date: 7/15/2024 9:58:00 AM Civilizations come and go like a passing cloud, the only thing constant is our love for killing and it's what we'll do until we are no more like the rest of the creatures that have gone extinct...it's nothing to get excited about, besides the only reason we are here is to supply the plants with carbon dioxide Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/15/2024 11:00:00 PM Yep, I agree. The clock is ticking. Nice to see ya, Frederic.

Hilda Greenhough Date: 7/15/2024 9:58:00 AM It is cautionary times. Humans are on top of the evolutionary scale and don't know what to do. I fear we will be toppled by AI. I thank you for bravely bringing up this subject. Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/15/2024 10:57:00 PM It is a worry when you look at western civilisation now. We are in rapid decline. Thanks Hilda.

Tom Woody Date: 7/15/2024 6:14:00 AM So true Keith. The Bible foretold the rise and fall of six empires, and the seventh is headed for the greatest fall of all. Awesome sonneteering, though I'd love to see you post one in true iambic pentameter Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 7/15/2024 6:29:00 AM The only meter I can get my head around is a parking meter. Appreciate the visit. Next time call first! If there’s no answer it’s because I have my iamb stuck in my mouth.