New Classic Poems – Contemporary Verse That Rhymes
New Classic Poems – Contemporary Verse That Rhymes
New Classic Poems – Contemporary Verse That Rhymes
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<strong>New</strong> <strong>Classic</strong> <strong>Poems</strong><br />
Then and Now<br />
Toledo Cathedral<br />
Neil Harding McAlister<br />
Back in the <strong>New</strong> World outdated, old rubbish<br />
Ends up on tables where “antiques” are sold.<br />
Here in the gloom of Toledo’s cathedral,<br />
We gaze on statues six hundred years old.<br />
If they could have spoken, what would they have told<br />
Humbling to think that Spain’s powerful monarchs<br />
Trod these same flagstones in centuries past.<br />
Costumed in elegant robes and rich jewels,<br />
Down through the ages long shadows they cast.<br />
For good or ill did their legacies last<br />
Making a living from long faded glory,<br />
Merchants in town hawk from souvenir stands.<br />
One of these items must be to your liking <strong>–</strong><br />
Maybe a sword that was made in Japan<br />
A full suit of armor would look truly grand!<br />
Out in the plaza, admire modern fashion:<br />
Girls wear hip-hugging jeans cut down to there,<br />
Meant to entrance all the young caballeros <strong>–</strong><br />
Not three old tourists with thinning, gray hair.<br />
Out of politeness we try not to stare.<br />
Gone are the days when a pert señorita<br />
Stirred thoughts of love in these middle-aged men.<br />
Hard to believe that the years flew so quickly!<br />
Times of our carefree youth won't come again;<br />
But for this week we’re still three footloose friends.<br />
In the café we remember the old times <strong>–</strong><br />
Keep them alive so the memories won’t pale!<br />
Rest your sore feet while the world hurries past us,<br />
Quaff your cervesa and tell us your tale,<br />
Measured with shots of espresso and ale!<br />
Don’t you recall when the world was a theme park,<br />
Made for a young man’s amusement alone<br />
Nowadays we aren’t such arrogant visitors,<br />
Knowing we’re guests in these good people’s home.<br />
They have agendas and lives of their own.<br />
In a few days we’ll be boarding an airplane<br />
Bound to where wives, kids and offices call,<br />
Grateful once more to embrace the familiar,<br />
‘Til we embark for adventures next fall.<br />
Sublime and ridiculous, we’ve seen it all!<br />
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