Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Amytis of Media pined for trees,

For gardens 'neath her bed she asked the crown,

Nebuchadnezzar II, who wished to please,

So 'round the palace walls he had plowed brown,

Then sown with countless seeds from all the land.

The trees and vines what sprang charmed all who whiff'd,

Thus queen of Babylon was led by hand,

And shown to her amazement, husband's gift.

The plots stay fresh, and grand for many lives,

As king and queen died they survive the years.

A testament to their nature to strive,

Their praises sung to many hungry ears,

The greatest show of love ever to be,

'Till it came tumbling down in 1 B.C.

Pharos of Alexandria

The lighted pyre 'flected o'er the port,

Built high and awesome o'er the grand city,

Impresses all who see and give report,

Makes all the rest a target of pity.

Great teams of oxen carry wood up stairs,

To fuel the mighty blaze that guides the world.

Much inspiration comes to he who stares,

At grandest Pharos, blazing, flags unfurled.

Archimedes' great idea comes into view,

A tow'ring lighthouse, guarding Egypt's crown,

Egypt's second wonder, they see anew,

The grandest city, sprung from such a town.

Great Alexander founds her from the sand

His ego fills the space where naught could stand.

The Flavian Amphitheater

The Flavians' grand design to help Rome stand,

A pseudo-superdome to house great games,

In view of white forum and houses grand.

Great determination realize these aims.

To quell the hungry masses thirst for blood,

Great games are held for cheering crowds who love,

To see, even, an occasional flood.

It even sports a canvas roof above,

To shade the gloried princeps from the sun,

All day while men fight men and beast alike,

And many die when all is said and done,

By Charon's hammer, Hermes' pike.

Such genius shown here copied in our day,

With stadiums filled with those who live to play.