ARLES: THE AMPHITHEATRE... (MY NEW POEM ABOUT THE ROMAN REMAINS IN ARLES...)

 Arles: The Amphitheatre…

Atop an ancient tower, the Rhône dominated one’s view;

Tidy, with boats moored, its surface impressively blue

On the day. Yet irrepressibly and in truth 

One’s eyes were drawn to almost every roof

Of coloured tiles in the narrow streets of Arles

And the grim heights of its once daunting city walls.

Atop a tower inside the incongruous curiosity

That is a Roman amphitheatre, a sanctuary,

There are information boards, concreted and cemented stairs,

Scaffolding, modern seating and evidence of recent repairs;

Yet one is drawn towards the undulating ancient arches, weathered,

To absorb the feel, the vibe and the history inexorably tethered

To the the legendary arena, sunlit and spectacularly vast,

  Where gladiatorial combat brought violent death in the distant past…

As I walked away subdued, yet strangely fulfilled I assume,

I felt enriched by the massive elephant in Arles’ ancient room…

Pete Ray

27th September 2022

The ancient Romans built a canal from Arles to the Mediterranean Sea, following the taking of the French town in 123 BC.

It became an important trading city for the invaders, being suitably positioned on the River Rhône.

The amphitheatre really does seem like ‘an elephant in the room’, suddenly appearing in front of you when you stroll along the narrow streets of Arles, as a splendid memorial to ancient times.

The Romans called the city Arelate and the province was then known as Gallia Narbonensis…