Black and white buttocks

Across the silver screen,

Cool in a Breathless

Splice of daily life.


There was Charlesmagne

And then Napolean;

They conquered Europe

A thousand years apart.


Now it's just France

And the rule of wine and cheese.




Note: Written for dVersePoet's 7/14/2012 prompt, "A French Twist."

Breathless refers to the Jean-Luc Godard movie.

Growing up, I was fascinated by reading the biographies of great leaders and conquerors, among them Charlesmagne, who united Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire, and Napolean, who conquered even more before failing spectacularly. Although Charlesmagne is probably the better model for a people that dream of empire, Napolean had more flair.




Year: 
2012