Caryatids

Liberated from Captivity in the British Museum

By: Charles Giuliano - Mar 31, 2016

Caryatids

Classical Caryatid
In the British Museum
It does not belong
Stolen by that bounder
Lord Elgin
Whose nose fell off
Punished by Athena
Violating the
Erectheum
Small temple
On the Acropolis
Overlooking Athens
Porch of the Maidens
Graceful sculpture
Replaced by
Bare pipe
Strident insult
The Brits
Refusing to
Give it back
Parthenon sculptures
Held hostage
Such arrogance
Looting the world
Of its treasures
When the sun
Never set
Empire
Now reduced to
Falkland Islands
Royal family
Living on the dole
Here liberated
Set free
Returned to nature
Remarkable maidens
Holding up
The sky