The Moon InConstantinople (Limerick)

Comments: 37

Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Aug 26, 2009, 6:08am EDT

Delightfully crafted!

:) wishing you laughter

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Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 6:12am EDT

Thanks Quinn, just having some fun (at the Byzantine empire expense, I'm afraid)

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JOHN BECK Aug 26, 2009, 7:40am EDT

We can laugh at history, or we can remain ignorant of history.
Good one, Atticus.

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 11:05am EDT

Thanks John, So true, so true.

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Kushal Poddar Aug 26, 2009, 7:53am EDT

Craft, can speak through heart and through mind, this is the case where it does both.
autumn’s presence

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 11:34am EDT

Thank you Ku, I appreciate the visit. This is just dessert for the meal I prepared for the HPC contest. Light and fluffy with a little history.

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James Ciriaco Aug 26, 2009, 11:20am EDT

See, Atticus' angle is that he lays it out like a meal on the table. Tricksy...

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 11:24am EDT

I was hoping you guys would catch on to that aspect of the three poems I submitted. (Iron Chef was one of my favorite shows) ;-)

James Ciriaco Aug 26, 2009, 8:40pm EDT

As a (very) amateur cook, I enjoy the show as well. I appreciate your conceit. :)

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 9:09pm EDT

I'm sorry,.... and a little embarrassed. I didn't mean to sound conceited!

I Did however mean to cook for my wife tonight: Baked Salmon covered in mole lightly infused with teriyaki with a dusting of curried crab served with sauteed okra, green onion, yellow bell pepper and garlic and Jasmine rice......Hmmm, for dessert....I think we have some blueberries in the ice box.....

James Ciriaco Aug 26, 2009, 9:15pm EDT

Oh, no... I meant 'conceit' in the poetic sense, of premise or concept. :)

James Ciriaco Aug 26, 2009, 9:17pm EDT

Also, wow. Did you make the curried crab yourself?

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 9:20pm EDT

Yes, sautee the crab in a little butter and olive oil lightly sprinkle with madras curry

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 9:22pm EDT

Thank you James, I was hoping you weren't thinking I was snooty. :-)

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Purrrrrrrrrrr~Genki dashite~Nantoka naru-yo! S. Aug 26, 2009, 1:04pm EDT

very well executed~ =D

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 3:05pm EDT

Thanks Purrrrrrrrrrr!

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Purrrrrrrrrrr~Genki dashite~Nantoka naru-yo! S. Aug 26, 2009, 1:04pm EDT

Thanks for posting to GutterGirls~

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Ann M. (Site Scryer) Aug 26, 2009, 1:31pm EDT

Sort of like Bacchus deserting his city Alexandria, referred to in Leonard Cohen's Alexandra Leaving??

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 1:40pm EDT

Yes, Ann, sort of. This is based on the history of the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Constantine XI was the last Emperor of the Byzantine Empire before it became part of the Ottoman Empire. The Turks laid siege to the city for weeks but failed to break the walls or bar the ports though Constantine's army was far smaller. The story has it that the Turks found a gate that was not barred and surged into the city and took it over thus ending whatever power and influence was left of the eastern Roman empire.

Ann M. (Site Scryer) Aug 26, 2009, 1:44pm EDT

Thanks, Atticus!

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Jennifer Lee Aug 26, 2009, 2:04pm EDT

I'm ignorant to history and grateful for your explanation above. The limerick is wonderfully penned and I don't care for crowded poetry either. Featured in The Poet's Circle. It feels good to say that to you after such a long while. :))

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 3:04pm EDT

Oh, thank you very much Jennifer. I appreciate that greatly.

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Adrian Eve Revenaugh Aug 26, 2009, 3:27pm EDT

Atticus,
I thought of using "Inconstant" from Corrina's HPC challenge in a similar way though I must confess, I was leaning towards the Marx Brothers skit or the Jimmy Kennedy/Nat Simon"s "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" swing classic.
Your historical coverage is fun and informative.

Special thanks for helping me get that idea out of my system!

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 4:20pm EDT

I know, it's kind of a cheap shot to use it that way. But hey, I'm not above camp when it fits. I hoped the combination of the historic subject and the limerick form would add enough contrast to mitigate the ughh factor of the disrespectful way I treated the fine name of our dear ancient city, Constantinople. - You are welcome! And thanks for the visit and the comment Ade. :-)

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Anne B. Grote Aug 26, 2009, 5:36pm EDT

so interesting and enjoyable, Atticus!

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 6:22pm EDT

Thank you kindly Anne

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Paul D Lefebvre Aug 26, 2009, 9:39pm EDT

A touching, insightful and powerful piece. And nicely placed (your sculptor's eye serves poetry well). Altogether, it gives us pause to look respectfully on this figure of history,
and yet realize what becomes of the house charisma builds.

Atticus *. Aug 26, 2009, 9:56pm EDT

Thanks for your insight Paul, I appreciate your comment!

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JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Aug 27, 2009, 11:34am EDT

"Do not swear by the moon, the inconstant moon......" (couldn't resist)

Another fine use of "inconstant" by you, my friend.

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Umar, Abu Nurain Aug 27, 2009, 1:09pm EDT

Good work Atticus! Was this purposely submitted during Ramadan? ;>)

Atticus *. Aug 27, 2009, 1:58pm EDT

Indeed it was my friend. (just kidding) Now that I think about it though, perhaps I should have been more clear and titled it: Crescent Moon InConstantinople. But maybe that would have been giving too much away. Blessed Ramadan to you Umar. This was done for part of Corinna's HPC Iron Poetry Competition.