The topic of statues attracted a substantial and interesting entry, even if sometimes slightly off-rubric. Human subjects ranged in size from Alan Millichip’s gargoyles to Michelangelo’s David and animals from Andy Hebb’s metal hedgehog to a general’s horse.
With thanks to all those who sent in their thoughts, below, in no particular order, are the seven whose varied offerings made it past the adjudicator on this occasion.
Jane Blanchard: In Flagrante
Bernini certainly had style
Costanza liked for quite a while.
Though she was his assistant’s spouse,
The lovers used the couple’s house.
This first affair led to another:
One day he caught her with his brother.
Made crazy by their bold embrace,
He had his servant slash her face.
Meanwhile he broke his brother’s ribs:
That rake had dared to share his dibs!
Bernini did not lose his life,
But was required to take a wife.
Costanza’s non-commissioned bust
Survived to show unblemished lust.
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
Claire Booker: Toppling Mr Colston
This shiny bronze had blazed too long
with the good he did and not the wrong,
arousing many a young protestor
to fell the slave trade’s great investor.
So, they surged forth to lay him low,
the hollow man just had to go –
lesson for those who try to whitewash
with philanthropy, their tainted dosh.
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
Robert Schechter: Ozzie Redux
On a pedestal huge and Ionic
stood an emperor's statue, iconic.
His carved words said "I'm
gonna last for all time,"
but the statue was broken. Ironic.
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
Julia Griffin: Confederate Gray
“If I were an artist like you I would draw a true picture of Traveller
[…] Such a picture would inspire a poet […]But I am no artist;
I can only say he is a Confederate gray.” Robert E. Lee letter 1870
When the last image falls, as it will in due course,
O what will become of the General’s horse?
Enough sentimental, incurious whim
Already has gone to remembering him;
But seeing him up on the skyline, so proud,
And, down where life happens, the reckoning crowd,
I can’t help but wince for him: horse of his day,
Old travelling-fellow Confederate gray.
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
Gail White: Some Statuary Statistics
Venus de Milo
has no arms
(but quite abundant
other charms.)
Antinous
has lots of curls.
The Graces are
three scrumptious girls.
As for Hermaphroditus –
well –
some things are better
not to tell.
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
Mike Mesterton-Gibbons: Academic Preference
When I am gone,
No statue shall
Be raised to hon-
our me et al.
But if there were
A marble bust,
I'd much prefer
To gather dust
Indoors than harv-
est pigeon poo,
Which outside carv-
ings can't eschew . . .
I'd not be fussed
If I had died –
Yet dust is just
More dignified!
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
C.R. Edenhill: The South Bank Survivor
The Red Lion Brewery, abode
Of kingly beasts in ‘stone’ called Coade,
Came down, but then a human royal
Inspired expense and time and toil
To let one stay beside the Thames
And add to London’s sculpted gems.
A landmark for the tourists who
Might lose their way from Waterloo,
He’s now no longer linked with beer
But camera-bait, like Boadicea.
So, many thanks for all those pics,
King Charles’s grandsire, KG6.
