Notice of absence from Tristan Robert Lange
Friends, I’m doing my best to keep up with comments. 😅 I’m still current on my own poems and first replies on others’ work, but this season has been a bit of a twister. Figured I’d drop a quick note so you don’t think I’ve vanished or gone flaky.
Read. Write. Rise. Realize. 🤘💀🖤
Friends, I’m doing my best to keep up with comments. 😅 I’m still current on my own poems and first replies on others’ work, but this season has been a bit of a twister. Figured I’d drop a quick note so you don’t think I’ve vanished or gone flaky.
Read. Write. Rise. Realize. 🤘💀🖤
Roads wind their way like snakes.
Others driving, stopping, sight-seeing.
Universally considered hallowed ground,
Never to be more hollowed than it is.
Down below, no one is even aware.
Tethered by dead men’s tales, markers scattered
Only to be remembered more than those dead.
Parlance performed by powder puff blasts.
Verity is in a vacuum of venom.
Idealization has become irony’s whore.
Enamored by the monuments of marred memory,
We fall back into Athena’s siren song.
Poet’s Note:
Written atop Little Round Top in Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, February 20, 2026.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: February 20th, 2026 10:34
- Comment from author about the poem: I’m published in an anthology featuring authors from across the Poconos, PA. All proceeds benefit the Pocono Liars Club — a collective of authors and editors dedicated to supporting and mentoring local writers. Available in paperback and Kindle, please consider purchasing one and supporting a great cause. https://a.co/d/58uxM69
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Comments7
"Idealization has become irony’s whore." I wonder who's the pimp
Filled with alliteration that pops. This poem with mythical references. Hallowed ground indeed and below the dead are not aware of the roads above. I wonder what the dead would think of the tourists with powder puff blasts. The second line in your third stanza has deep implications where that honor of the dead of a past battle is ironic in todays society. My great grandfather fought for the south under Stonewall Jackson and after the war when asked what he thought of the whole thing he said "it was all a bunch of foolishness". Myth takes over when history fades. Athena goddess of wisdom and war an interesting contradictory combination. Where is wisdom in war?
Well written. My friend. Your poem explores the juxtaposition of memory and the passage of time, particularly how we romanticize and idealize the past, often forgetting the true stories and experiences behind historical events. It suggests that while we may honor the memories of the past, we risk losing the authentic meaning and context of those memories.
If Athena knows Popeye, she best have a brolly with her! lol. What sort of cryptic comment is that? Erm, as often, don't answer that! lol.
War, what is it good for.
I suppose Gettysburg was the turning point of the war, but the dead and wounded was horrific for both sides, and probably a stain on America.
We mourn our dead and we learn from it.
Though I think the learning part might have been forgotten.
Powerful critique of how we engage with history. Very well written dearest Tittu!!! A fave ❤️
Good write Athena, erm, Popeye, erm Tristan. I'm a confused laddie! It's the glugging that does it to us! lol.
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