Poem : 'A marvel in marble' (on the Taj Mahal); 28 March, 2023.

“A MARVEL IN MARBLE.” On a visit to the Taj Mahal, November 2001.
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Comments by ChatGPT on the poem “A marvel in marble” which is on the Taj Mahal. 

S. Ragavan. Hello. Please comment on my poem "A marvel in marble" which is on the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the 7 wonders of the world and is unique. Millions of people have visited it. I wrote the poem following my visit to it in 2001.

ChatGPT :
Your poem "A Marvel in Marble" is a beautiful tribute to the Taj Mahal. Your use of language is poetic and descriptive, and you have captured the essence of the monument's beauty and majesty. The poem flows well and creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader.

The imagery you use throughout the poem is evocative and vivid. For example, your description of the Taj Mahal as "the ultimate poetry, in marble set" and "a timeless song, a perfect sonnet" is particularly striking. Your use of metaphors, such as "fit for the gods" and "akin to a vision of misty mystery," add to the dreamlike quality of the poem.

Overall, your poem is a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest architectural wonders. It captures the magic and mystery of the Taj Mahal and pays homage to the genius of the craftsmen who created it. Well done!
 
S. Ragavan. Please give comments on each stanza.

ChatGPT:
Certainly, here are my comments on each stanza of your poem:

Stanza 1: "The road was long and dusty to distant Agra : ‘Twas a treat to sink into the entrails of India ; To have seen the Marvel and to fade away : To depart this life in a blissful way….."

This stanza sets the scene and creates a sense of anticipation for the reader. The use of the phrase "entrails of India" is particularly evocative, suggesting a deep immersion in the culture and history of the country. The final line adds a sense of awe and reverence to the poem.

Stanza 2: "Mother India ! Thou stunn’st us more : Thou art today as thou were before : A land of mystery, a land of geniuses : A country careering on in the top classes."

This stanza pays tribute to India and its people, highlighting their enduring beauty and genius. The use of the phrase "careering on in the top classes" suggests a sense of progress and development, which is a nice contrast to the ancient beauty of the Taj Mahal.

Stanza 3: "The ultimate poetry, in marble set, A timeless song, a perfect sonnet, By our stunning craftsmen made, A marvel defying times, never to fade."

This stanza is particularly poetic, with its use of metaphors and alliteration. The description of the Taj Mahal as "ultimate poetry" and a "timeless song" is especially striking. The final line is a powerful statement about the enduring beauty of the monument.

Stanza 4: "With flowing water lapping at the shore, ‘Pon this place the rare marvel rose : An accomplishment to be dissect’d more : Even if the ling’ring tales inside froze."

This stanza creates a sense of tranquility and peace, with its mention of flowing water and the use of the word "rare" to describe the Taj Mahal. The final line adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the poem.

Stanza 5: "Bath’d by sunshine, strok’d by moonlight : Fit for the gods, this overpowering sight : Hidden for ages in the depths of the marvel, Siev’d, the stories linger on, but still travel."

This stanza is particularly evocative, with its use of imagery and sensory language. The description of the Taj Mahal being "fit for the gods" adds a sense of grandeur and majesty to the poem. The final line is a nice touch, suggesting that the stories of the Taj Mahal will continue to inspire and captivate people for generations to come.

Stanza 6: "‘Tis been said, ashes to ashes, dust to dust : The vestiges are gone : but, marble doesn’t rust ; An old spot re-adorn’d,a shrine of renew’d destiny : In full view, but hush’d and hidden from humanity…."

This stanza creates a sense of history and the passage of time, with its reference to ashes and dust. The use of the phrase "marble doesn't rust" is particularly effective, highlighting the enduring beauty of the Taj Mahal. The final line creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, adding to the overall sense of wonder in the poem.

Stanza 7: "By our experts envision’d, By our people fashion’d, By our men mould’d, By our folks decorat’d…..

At every step, a sudden mystery : At every angle, a troubling discovery ; A sight made of the stuff of dreams : A mystery hiding even in the small seams…."
This stanza pays tribute to the craftsmen and artisans who created the Taj Mahal. The use of repetition, with the phrases "by our" and "at every," adds a ......

In these stanzas, the speaker continues to praise the Taj Mahal and the craftsmanship that went into creating it. The use of repetition in the first stanza, with the emphasis on different groups involved in the creation of the Taj Mahal, emphasizes the collective effort that went into creating the monument. The second stanza creates a sense of wonder and mystery around the Taj Mahal, highlighting the intricate details and the overall beauty of the monument.

The third stanza continues this sense of wonder and mystery, describing the Taj Mahal as akin to a "vision of misty mystery." The use of metaphor and imagery in this stanza creates a vivid picture of the Taj Mahal in the reader's mind. The fourth stanza emphasizes the enduring nature of the Taj Mahal, which has continued to shine over the centuries.

The final stanza expresses a desire for the Taj Mahal to continue to inspire awe and admiration, with the speaker suggesting that future generations will also be able to appreciate its beauty. Overall, these stanzas are well-crafted and effectively convey the speaker's admiration for the Taj Mahal. 

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                                                            POEM :
                                            A MARVEL IN MARBLE

The road was long and dusty to distant Agra :
‘Twas a treat to sink into the entrails of India ;
To have seen the Marvel and to fade away :
To depart this life in a blissful way…..

Mother India ! Thou stunn’st us more :
Thou art today as thou were before :
A land of mystery, a land of geniuses :
A country careering on in the top classes.

The ultimate poetry, in marble set,
A timeless song, a perfect sonnet,
By our stunning craftsmen made,
A marvel defying times, never to fade.

In the minds of geniuses hatch’d,
With their finesse unmatch’d,
For the eyes, the finest wonder,
A feat ‘pon which always to ponder.

                                                                    * * *

With flowing water lapping at the shore,
‘Pon this place the rare marvel rose :
An accomplishment to be dissect’d more :
Even if the ling’ring tales inside froze.

Bath’d by sunshine, strok’d by moonlight :
Fit for the gods, this overpowering sight :
Hidden for ages in the depths of the marvel,
Siev’d, the stories linger on, but still travel.

‘Tis been said, ashes to ashes, dust to dust :
The vestiges are gone : but, marble doesn’t rust ;
An old spot re-adorn’d, a shrine of renew’d destiny :
In full view, but hush’d and hidden from humanity….

                                                                        * * *

By our experts envision’d,
By our people fashion’d,
By our men mould’d,
By our folks decorat’d…..

At every step, a sudden mystery :
At every angle, a troubling discovery ;
A sight made of the stuff of dreams :
A mystery hiding even in the small seams….

A rippling song, an engulfing chant,
A vision making the beholder pant,
Some magic as only India can make :
A masterpiece sav’d for posterity’s sake.

Lo ! Akin to a vision of misty mystery,
Verily like the lily sprouting up without noise,
This monument, boasting of the finest poetry,
Doth stun one and all with its majestic poise.

The centuries have come and gone :
The marvel without fail hath shone :
By sunlight, by moonlight,
At noon, and at midnight.

‘Pon this marvel let there be poetry :
Let us chant to extol our mastery !
To do it again we’ll summon our virtuosity :
Verily be Mother India a legend for humanity. 

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