Atlantis Poem by M. A. Doc Janning

In old Atlantis I did walk
‘neath fabled domes of orichalc,
Clad in royal white and gold
a prince of land and navy bold.

Our harbor was a tri-fold ring
a wonder of which bards still sing.
The outer was the navy's port
ring'd about by mighty fort.

The second ring was mercantile,
with traders' ships at every pile.
The goods they brought, they were a wonder;
some, perhaps, were pirate's plunder.

The innermost a calm lagoon,
held pleasure barges ‘neath the moon,
and bathed the feet of palace walls
which then held Poseidon's halls.

Those halls were ivory, silver, gold;
with marble floors where gods once strolled.
They ate and drank, and played the lyre
while tending temple's sacred fire.

Poseidon was my sire of sires.
My birth was sung by sea-borne choirs.
A life of learning and of ease
were all I knew 'ere I sailed the seas.

Our navy then did rule our world,
bringing fear at sight of sails unfurl'd.
Those ships I ruled with princely hand
had no match in any land.

Now I am but have-been prince,
these very rags, my state evince,
our land and navy long-since sundered
by mighty peak which flamed and thundered.

Our land is now but oft-told fable,
and I am old, with future sable.
Naught there is of harbors three,
and left behind are few - and me.

Could you but buy this greybeard wine
I'd regale you all with stories fine
of times I lived on royal paves
‘ere Atlantis sank beneath the waves.