October 17, 2019
Dear Subscriber:
Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of
view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme
for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated
on Oct. 14.
I welcome comments on my poems at
http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .
A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day about the attack of the
Romans on the indigenous Celts at Ynes Mŏn, an island just off the coast of
Wales, based on passages from Tacitus, Annals,
XIV:
THE ATTACK OF THE ROMANS ON THE CELTS AT YNES MŎN
From Tacitus, Annals
XIV:
Suetonius Paulinus prepared accordingly
To attack the island of Mona
Which had a considerable population of its own,
While serving as a haven for refugees.
In view of the shallow and variable channel,
He constructed a flotilla of boats with flat bottoms.
By this method the infantry crossed;
The cavalry, who followed,
Did so by fording or, in deeper water,
By swimming at the side of their horses.
On the beach stood an adverse array,
A serried mass of arms and men,
With women flitting between the ranks.
In the style of Furies,
In robes of deathly black and with disheveled hair,
They brandished their torches; while a circle of Druids,
Lifting their hands to heaven and showering imprecations,
Struck the troops with such awe at the extraordinary
spectacle
That, as though their limbs were paralyzed,
They exposed their bodies to wounds
Without an attempt at movement.
Then, reassured by their general,
And inciting each other never to flinch
Before a band of females and fanatics,
They charged behind the standards,
Cut down all who met them,
And enveloped the enemy in his own flames.
© by Nicholas Gordon
If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share
it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site,
go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/theatt.html.
For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html
.
This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day
10/17: The Attack of the Romans on the Celts at Ynes Mŏn
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