Juno's Geese
By luigi_pagano
Sun, 11 Aug 2019
- 1541 reads
6 comments
We all have our favourite pets;
a dog or a cat or a bunny rabbit,
The old Romans, in Nero's time,
much preferred the aquatic birds
that were bred in order to please
Jupiter's wife, the goddess Juno,
who was said to be fond of geese.
It was deemed a harmless habit.
a dog or a cat or a bunny rabbit,
The old Romans, in Nero's time,
much preferred the aquatic birds
that were bred in order to please
Jupiter's wife, the goddess Juno,
who was said to be fond of geese.
It was deemed a harmless habit.
She was known to give warnings
and prophetise coming disasters.
Yet maintained a dignified poise.
And likewise the web-footed fowl
is notable for its honking noise
that alerts men to looming danger
if they sense a nearby stranger
who, stealthily, is on the prowl.
and prophetise coming disasters.
Yet maintained a dignified poise.
And likewise the web-footed fowl
is notable for its honking noise
that alerts men to looming danger
if they sense a nearby stranger
who, stealthily, is on the prowl.
This theory was put to the test
during a siege on Capitoline Hill.
The Romans had been routed
and had fled to a higher ground.
A scout of the Gauls had scaled
the walls and tried to penetrate
the encampment to observe
the enemy troops movements.
during a siege on Capitoline Hill.
The Romans had been routed
and had fled to a higher ground.
A scout of the Gauls had scaled
the walls and tried to penetrate
the encampment to observe
the enemy troops movements.
The dogs, asleep, did not bark
and the soldiers rested in tents
on a night oppressive and dark.
Everything was still but the geese
raised the alarm with loud cries
scurrying, flapping their wings.
The foes were repelled and fled,
the citizens of Rome were safe.
and the soldiers rested in tents
on a night oppressive and dark.
Everything was still but the geese
raised the alarm with loud cries
scurrying, flapping their wings.
The foes were repelled and fled,
the citizens of Rome were safe.
It was vital to rebuild the City,
there wasn't a moment to lose.
The empire was near to collapse
but goodwill and pride overcame
the feeling of defeat and self pity.
Each year to remember the event
a lavish procession was mounted
with, at its head, a golden goose.
there wasn't a moment to lose.
The empire was near to collapse
but goodwill and pride overcame
the feeling of defeat and self pity.
Each year to remember the event
a lavish procession was mounted
with, at its head, a golden goose.
© Luigi Pagano 2019
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Comments
I enjoyed this one Luigi - I
Permalink Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on
I enjoyed this one Luigi - I used to know someone who kept a few geese as pets and they could be pretty scary! I hope you'll have a go at our new Inspiration Point!
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I always like these
I always like these historical ones, Luigi - I learn something new every time.
I echo insert - please do have a go at the IP. I would love to hear you reading your stuff.
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Brilliant! I bet your
Brilliant! I bet your recording is perfectly fine. I look forward to hearing it!
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