Great Wall (poem) by Lloyd Lofthouse on AuthorsDen

Great Wall
by Lloyd Lofthouse → (All Poetry by Lloyd Lofthouse)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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This wall has stood for more than two thousand years and the total length of all of the wall's segments is more than four thousand miles.
Futility! About four hundred BC, The first stone for China’s Four thousand mile symbol, The Great Wall, Was shaped and set in place By people wanting to be left alone. It’s ironic how many died Building stone barriers against Violence and uncertainty. Confucius; Buddha; Taoism All helped place that stone Desired by hundreds of emperors Blind to reality; Writing poetry; Painting water colors On rice paper, The engine that drove Building a wall That seldom protected. In the fourth century, Barbarians took China’s north. When the seventh century arrived, So did Tibetan people, The Tanguit. The Tang Dynasty dealt with that, But the threat never vanished Since Mao brought it back in 1951. The Jurchen of Manchuria Made an appearance during The twelfth century Followed by Mongols Becoming the Yuan Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty ousted the Yung— Repairing and adding to the Great Wall While explorers sailed mighty ships Into the world Trading; Making maps of discovery, Not conquest, Until a new emperor Afraid of the outside Closed the door. Bribery and trickery by the Manchu Passing through the wall like hungry ghosts During the seventeenth century Put an end to the Ming. The nineteenth century Introduced a hundred years of war. Taiping; Britain; France; Germany; Japan. Blood soaked the earth And millions died. Today, China’s great wall Has become ‘education and science’ Along with space walks And future moon shots Supported by a modern Army, navy and air force. America once felt the Pacific and Atlantic Were its two great walls Offering protection From distant enemies. World War I; Word War II and 9/11 ended that fantasy Leading to Bush wars. In China, paying tourists Chinese and foreign, Visit segments of the Great Wall Climbing steep steps; Snapping digital pictures. After more than two thousand years, The Great Wall serves a purpose Leading to peace— Not war. “One should seek serenity to cultivate the body, thriftiness to cultivate the morals. Seeking fame and wealth will not lead to noble ideal. Only by seeking serenity will one reach far.” - Zhugeliang ______________________________________________ You may find out more about the historical fiction novel, *My Splendid Concubine,* by Lloyd Lofthouse, (click here) on this AuthorsDen page.Click here to watch 'My Splendid Concubine’s' Trailer "*My Splendid Concubine* is packed cover to cover with intriguing characters and plot, a must read for historical fiction fans and a fine addition to any collection on the genre." Midwest Book Review, May 8, 2008

Reviewed by Rosemarie Skaine

Reviewed on December 6, 2008

Excellent portrayal of history in a snapshot. Having been to the Great Wall and climbed some of those steep steps, this piece had special meaning for me. R

Reviewed by Bonnie May

Reviewed on November 3, 2008

What an adventure, I've always wanted to see the Great Wall myself. My sons friend taught English at a University there and married a little adorable Chinese Gal. She couldn't speak a word of English when she got here, but she hardly has an accent anymore. What a doll. Sure envy you my friend. The stories she told was lovey and this write. Thank you, Love, Bonnie

Reviewed by Edwin Hurdle

Reviewed on October 27, 2008

Thank you for sharing this poem and the history of the Great Wall from what it used to be to what it is today.take care

Edwin

Reviewed by Sandie May Joyce

Reviewed on October 26, 2008

Hi Lloyd:

I'm so glad you have had a chance to go to visit China. Thanks for sharing this interesting and informative poem!

Sandie Angel :o)

Reviewed by John Flanagan

Lloyd,
After that first great introductory stanza it's the second that really sets the tone, and then a marvellous potted history, and I mean potted in the very best sense here, and in the middle that great reference to the hungry ghosts which are honoured and appeased here in Singapore as well. This is more than 'knowing your stuff', it's scholarship with true resonance. In admiration.
John

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

A history lesson on a wall that may stand the test of time ... an excellent write, Lloyd.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Gene Williamson

Thanks for the lesson, Lloyd. The pyramids, the great wall, and the man on the moon. Great achievements all. And still some idiot put our young men in Iraq. Better things coming (I hope). -gene.