Received an email from Promising Poets Parking lot this morning, and I haven’t heard from them for a while, so I’m posting one for them this morning. This is an older one (last summer) and the picture is provided by Reena Walkling at Missing Moments. One look at her photo titled, Pompei, and the following poem came pouring from my pen… er, um… keyboard. I hope you find it enjoyable!
The Last Watch
They stood watch
O’er the last park
Stoic and tall
Armor chinked and discolored
Silently they stood
Bravely they watched
Unarmed
Yet daunting
Many years they’d
Stood
Never once leaving
Their appointed duty
Not knowing
Those who’d bid them
Watch
Would not return
Dereliction
A thing not known
To silent sentries
Made of stone
Copyright © 2012 C. Mashburn
Buy "Be Still" from WestbowPress.com
Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Sherry Mashburn said
I love this poem! So evocative!
catnip said
Great representation for the picture! Well done:>) Visited the Promising Poets Parking Lot. Is this open to anyone or do you have to receive an invitation/email as you mentioned? Are the posts a poem a day for the week designated? Can they come from earlier posts since new persons will be reading them? I know. . .probably too many questions. LOL:>)
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the comment!
I sent you an email (cmwrites) regarding the questions.
tigercity said
ah Pompei near Napoli & Vesuvius.. it’s on my visit wishlist.. and still they stand.. there was one survivor – a prisoner in a cell.. what irony that the convict walked away..
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
becca givens said
I love the old sentries … the energy they emit, and the stories they could share. Thank you for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Becca!
Andy said
Wow, great job my friend. This was very well written!!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Andy! I’m glad you like it!
Pat Cegan said
Nice to read your work again. I have little time to read blogs but need to change that as there are so many to enjoy. Thanks for visiting Source of Inspiration. hugs, pat
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Pat!
Asim Kumar Paul said
A beautiful poem. I love it.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Asim!
gracefulglider said
Wow I love how you gave them life I kept expecting see someone at the end 🙂 Good job!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
Miss Kitten said
Nicely written piece. 🙂 I’ve been away as well, still poeticizing, painting, and putting together jigsaw puzzles, but not participating. Though I am particularly pleased to see you posting again, How’s that for alliteration??
charlesmashburn said
Good to “see” you again!
Hema said
You have brought them back tolife with your wonderful words. Nice read…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Hema!
Raivenne said
Bravo Charles. Wonderful personification. Yes, they do stand the testament of time. I love this.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Raivenne!
Average Poet said
this is really great, I could see them standing in my mind and then the picture is at the end to reinforce those mental images – great work!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Bob!
Viola Cohen said
the words and the image match,
love the rhymes, very well crafted poetry.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Viola!
Poets Rally at Hyde Park said
superb sentiments and topic…
Hello,
Thanks for being part of Thursday Poets Rally and hope to see you continued support …your input is valued…
We are giving you the perfect poet award for week 71 today, enjoy!
If you take it, please nominate another poet in your poem post, and leave your acceptance link under our award post, thank you in advance!
Happy End of August! Have A Grand September Ahead!
Looking forward to seeing you in the rally next time again!
Cheers!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the award!
nefariousx said
Your works are always quality, this one no different.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much for the nice comment!
anjuartwriter said
a pleasure to read the dedication
charlesmashburn said
Thank you. I’m gad you enjoyed it!